Decking the House With Christmas Cheer

Friday - December 17, 2010

"Deck the Halls with Boughs of holly . . . . fa la la la, la la la la." This is one of the yuletide carols that seems to give most of us a happy feeling. Sure, we know the real meaning of Christmas and the real purpose behind it, but we also like to celebrate and have a great fellowship with our family and friends. Tis the season to show how much we love and care for mankind. Many will decorate their homes - inside and out - as a way to spread the good cheer.

As the years move forward, we are finding it a little sadder in that many of those we love are no longer here celebrating with us. So many things we do reminds me of the time when they were here with us. They say that as times goes on that things will get better. I still see my grandparents, who have been gone for 40 years, grinning from ear to ear when we would open up their presents to us - usually much needed socks. I can see Dad sneaking in to look under the tree to try and find packages with his name on them - Mom would purposely not put names on the packages! :) She always was able to remember to whom the packages belonged, and would put the names on the packages Christmas Eve! I can remember John sneaking around looking in all the "hiding" places that Mom might hide our presents to see if he could find his!!!! Last but not least, I remember our precious Toby who loved to snoop around the presents under the tree. I always got him a box of treats and would wrap it up . . . he would sniff it out, and try his best to get it open!!!!! He loved sticking his head down into the bags to pull out whatever might be down in the bag. It was hard making out the tags this year . . . Toby's name was always included as a giver! :(

I love decorating, but this year we had decided not to do much . . . no one would be here but us, and why decorate and then turn around and take it down and pack it back into storage. A week ago I couldn't stand not having some Christmas up. So, I went out to the shed and found a few things and even found a few things that were half price to add to my displays. The following pictures show our Christmas cheer this year . . . .fa la la la, la la la la.

Our fiber-optic tree . . .
. . . looking from the outside . . . our fiber-optic tree and Santa . . .
. . . I love the different versions of Santa . . . I found this wooden collection at Big Lots for a little change . . . my kind of a deal . . .

. . . through the years I have collected Boston Terrier items because of Toby . . . here are two tree toppers I always used as part of a display and even the top of one of the trees in the past . . . we miss our "babee" . . .

. . . I found some of my collection of Santa's that have been given to me as gifts through the years, and put them on display . . .

. . . the Nutcracker is one that has a sensor . . . it use to drive Toby crazy . . . especially when its cheeks would flash red and it would start playing "The Little Drummer Boy" . . . also on display are a few more of my Santa's . . .
. . . our front porch display includes a wooden Santa and my geese dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause . . .
. . . Mrs. Clause got a little extra help with the decorations . . . fresh snow . . .
. . . I also love the nativity scene . . . this year I found a wooden one that is actually a musical box that plays "Silent Night" . . . a favorite of mine . . . . . . this snow globe is also musical . . . it was a gift from my niece Dawn . . . it was the the first Christmas without Dad . . . it is a gift I will always cherish because she and the family were trying to help me have a good Christmas . . . it plays the tune "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" . . . . . . this is part of our Christmas dishes . . . similar to the Lenox, but a lot more affordable . . . we always used these for Christmas dinner . . . the bell in the center is actually a Lenox bell given to me by Bill and David many years ago . . . another special gift . . . . . . the nativity scene that stays out year round . . . too pretty to put away for all but one month a year . . .

Our wish is that all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year making memories for the years to come!!! May God Bless each and every one of you!!!!

Fresh Apple Cake - Another Family Recipe

Sunday - December 12, 2010

The last post was a favorite cake recipe of Mom's. This one is a favorite of a cousin . . . Mae Scaggs Slazo. I know as a kid, I loved eating at Mae's . . . it was mmmmmm, so good!!!!!! So there is no doubt that this recipe will be good too!!!!!! Thanks to Mae's daughter, Sherri Scaggs Smith for sharing! :)

Fresh Apple Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1-1/2 cups chopped apples
1 cup chopped walnuts

• Cream sugar, oil, and eggs with mixer. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla. Mix well. Fold in apples and walnuts.
• Pour into greased and floured bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
  
  Glaze:
  1 cup powdered sugar
  1/4 cup frozen orange juice, thawed, undiluted
  
• Drizzle over cake while still warm.

Orange Cake - A Family Tradition at Christmas

Sunday - December 12, 2010

Many of us have special baking traditions for the holidays. The recipe I am about to share is one that I can remember Mom making every year at Christmas. I always wondered why she only baked this cake during the Christmas season, but as I got older I realized it was because of the availability of fresh juicy oranges. Mom would always make several of these cakes for special people in our family's life, and one for us to eat as well. When I was old enough, I got to help Mom prepare the cake! Now I make it on my own! :)

I asked Mom where she got the recipe. She said a very good friend of the Layne family gave her the recipe. However, Mom didn't like the results of the first cake she made, thus she changed things around a bit. The following recipe is what we have been baking in the Layne family for well over fifty years!!! Hope you enjoy!

Orange Cake

1 stick of butter

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp soda

1 cup raisins

2 eggs (separated)

1 tsp vanilla

1 orange peel

• Juice the orange and set aside
• Clean pulp from orange rind; Grind the rind and raisins together
• Combine sugar and butter; Add 2 egg yolks & beat until fluffy
• Add soda to buttermilk ( it will fizz . . . so watch out! :))
• Alternating buttermilk/soda and flour - add to sugar/butter/yolk mixture
• After grinding raisins and orange rind, add to the mixture
• Last add the vanilla and 2 egg whites to the mixture
• Beat for two minutes
• Bake in a tube pan at 350 for 30 - 35 minutes (I also bake in mini loaf pans)
• About 10 minutes before the cake is done - boil juice from orange and 1/2 cup of sugar into a syrup ( I usually add more juice and sugar so I can have enough syrup to use
• Once the cake is out of the oven . . . .pour the juice over the cake while still hot
• I usually use a fork to "poke" holes in the cake so it will soak up the juice

Using the small loaf pans . . . batter is in each, ready to bake . . .

. . . after baking about 33 minutes . . . straight from the oven . . .
. . . the juice from the orange, plus some extra juice and sugar cooking to make the syrup to pour over the hot cakes . . .

. . . the end results soaking up the orange syrup!

Many families try to keep certain recipes a secret! Why? I'm not sure, but the "Laynes" hope you enjoy Mom's version and special recipe for "Orange Cake!"

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

WE ARE . . . . REMBERING . . . MARSHALL

Sunday, November 14, 2010

40 years ago tonight will be etched in the memories for thousands of people from the Marshall University community. The plane carrying most of the team, coaches, staff, and fans, hit the hillside as they approached the Tri-State airport. All aboard the plane perished that fateful night. I remember that night, and remembering thinking this can't have happened. Many of the players had been or were classmates of mine at MU. Many were friends with John because he was taking the athletic classes in which most of the team was taking!

As I looked over the names of the coaches, players, and the fans, I shudder when I realize at how many I actually knew or had some special connection. The players such as Ted Shoebridge, Michael Blake, Marcelo Lajterman, Allen Skeens, David Griffith, and Barry Nash were members of some of the classes I had taken or were taking in education. Our family's medical doctor and his wife were on that plane, Dr. Joseph and Margaret Chambers. They had three daughters in which two were MU cheerleaders! Dr. Joe's father had been our pediatrician. We knew them well! Other fans on the plane were the parents of many who attended the same high school as I had.

It still makes me shiver when I think back about that night. I was watching my grandmother, who was living with us after my grandfather had passed away earlier that year. Mom and Dad had friends up and they were playing rummy in the kitchen and eating the cheese, pickle, and a cracker tray I had fixed. The boys were milling around watching the game and what ever we had on TV to entertain Mammaw. Then we got a phone call. The daughter of the lady visiting us called and said a plane had crashed out at the airport. Then they interrupted the program on the TV to say a plane had crashed and that there was the fear it was the Marshall plane!

Many people around town jumped into their vehicles to rush out to the airport to see what they could do to help. My brothers also went out to the crash site. Needless to say, there was nothing that could be done! What it did do was embed memories of that fiery plane crash in the minds of all who rushed out to be of assistance - including my brothers!

It was a very long week for the community. Funerals were being planned with many here in Huntington, while others were being sent home to Ohio, Alabama, New Jersey, and Georgia just to name a few of the states. Coach Dawson tried his best to attend all those funerals, because he had recruited many of those boys to come to Marshall. Each funeral had a representative from the coaching staff as well as a surviving team mate who had not been on the plane due to a variety of reasons.

The first day back in one of my classes, there were three black roses on three separate desk scattered about the room. The roses were placed on the desk of three of the players who had been on that plane! That was one of the hardest classes to concentrate in I believe I have ever had!!!

This tragedy did not just touch the lives of those who live in Huntington, or who went to Marshall. It also touched the lives of many sports fans from across the nation, and most definitely the family and friends of all aboard that plane. The flight crew, the coaches, and the players were from all around the United States. They all may be gone, but they will never be forgotten!

The 1970 Team and Coaches

The Coaches:

Rick Tolley – Head Coach
Al Carelli – Offensive Line
Jim “Shorty” Moss - Offensive Coordinator
Deke Brackett – Kicking Coach
Frank Loria – Defensive Backs
Carl Kokor – Defensive Line (was not on the plane)
Red Dawson – Defensive Coordinator (was not on the plane)
Gail Parker – Freshman Coach (was not on the plane)
Mickey Jackson – Offensive Backs (was not on the plane)

The Players:

Jim Adams
Mark Andrews
Michael Blake
Dennis Blevins
Willie Bluford
Larry Brown
Thomas Brown
Roger Childers
Stuart Cottrell
Rick Dardinger
David DeBord
Kevin Gilmore
David Griffith
Arthur Harris
Robert Harris
Bobby Hill
Joe Hood
Tom Howard
Marcelo Lajterman
Richard Lech
Barry Nash
Pat Norrell
Bob Patterson
Scotty Reese
Jack Repasy
Larry Sanders
Al Saylor
Art Shannon
Ted Shoebridge
Allen Skeens
Jerry Stainback
Robert Van Horn
Roger Vanover
Fred Wilson
John Young

Tom Zborill

The following players were not on the plane:
Tony Barile
Richard Brautigan
Jon Calvin
Dickie Carter
Ed Carter
Jack Crabtree
Dave Cyrus
Ed Deeds
Greg Finn
Dennis Foley
Fred Gaudet
Wes Hickman
Frank James
Felix Jordan
Gary Morgan
Pete Naputano
Paul Oden
Nate Ruffin
Jim Sly
Mike Swartley
Richard Taglang

David Withers

Other Athletic and Football Staff:
Charles E. Kautz – Director of Athletics
Gene Morehouse – Sports Information
Jim Schroer – Head Trainer
Donald Tackett – Assistant Trainer
Gary George – Student Assistant Statistician
The following were not on the plane:
Ed Starling – Assistant Director of Athletics
Jim Hodges – Business Manager
Eugene Jones – Assistant Football Manager
Gerald Sieber – Assistant Football Manager
John Hagan – Equipment Manager
Mervin G. Black – Assistant Equipment Manager
David W. Byrd – Student Equipment Manage
Joseph Wortham – Student Assistant Statistician

The Fans:
There were twenty-four of Marshall’s most diligent supporters who went with the team on that fateful trip.

Charles M. Arnold
Rachel Arnold
Donald Booth
Joseph Chambers
Margaret Chambers
Shirley Ann Hagley
Ray Hagley
Arthur L. Harris
Emmett O. Heath
Elaine Lois Heath
Cynthia Jarrell
James Jarrell
Kenneth Jones
Jeff Nathan
Brian O’Connor
Michael Prestera
Glenn H. Preston

Phyllis Preston

Courtney Proctor

Herbert D. Proctor

Helen Ralsten

Murrill Ralsten

Parker Ward

Norman Weichmann

The Flight Crew:

Captain Frank Abbott
First Officer Jerry Smith
Stewardess Charlene Poat
Stewardess Patricia Vaught
Charter Coordinator Danny Deese

The Headlines


The fountain which was designed as a memorial for the 75 who lost their lives. There are 75 points on top of this fountain! Each year on November 14 the fountain is turned off for the season!

WE ARE . . . . . . . MARSHALL

During the weeks following the crash I decided to clip all the articles and pictures from The Herald Dispatch and make a scrapbook. Why? I really don't know, but it was something I wanted/needed to do
The following pages are images that have stuck with me through the years

Coach "Red" Dawson was an inspiration to us all. He knew these players, coaches, and community leaders. He rode the plane down to the game, but was on acouting mission afterwards and drove back to WV! He was so strong and comforting the families of those who had lost their life. He himself was suffering as much grief as most of the families. They were his MU family!

The list of those who had perished that raining, foggy Saturday night.

The headlines were placed in the paper using red ink - this didn't happen often!

Just one of the daunting photos that was put into print.

Over 7,000 people were in attendance at the memorial services held at the Field House.

Another image that made an impact on me was this one . . . the family of those who had cherished were awaiting for some good news, but we know they never received!

This bulletin board was cover with messages from all our the county. Oresident Nixon sent a condolence note, many of the officials from WV sent notes as did many, many strangers

The fountain will be shu down on the 14th - as it is every year!!!

We pray that the survivors have adjusted and gone on to live a very productive life.

No, we will never forget those who lost their life that fateful day. But we will always remember!!

WE ARE . . . Marshall

Another Veterans Day - Thanks to All

Thursday - November 11, 2010

Another Veterans Day is here and as a nation we are thanking the men and women who have helped preserve the freedoms many of us take for granted. These men and woman have made and are making so many sacrifices to ensure that the American people will continue to live in a free country. What does it mean to be free??? Hmmmm . . . . maybe you should have listened to your history teachers a little closer and you might now! Seriouly, I believe that most Americans know what freedoms we have that many countires don't, plus most have an understanding of the sacrifices that were made by many members of our family and community to make sure we don't lose these freedoms.

There are so many members of our family who served their nations call - some by choice, others were called by Uncle Sam. They proudly served their country and protected her and their family from many evils of the world. This is an ongoing battle as we all know, and we should be thankful for the continued protection of these brave men and women. Many of our Veterans participated in wars that were/are controversal in the fact that many felt the US should not be involved. regardless of those beliefs from many, we need to thank these men and women for what they did to help ensure our lives continued as we know it! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and are so thankful for all you did.

There are two members of our family who were part of the millions of men and women who participated in WWII - our fathers, Clyde Austin HArdin and Elmer J (Buck) Layne. We know the sacrifices they made, some about what they went through (they never talked much about their experience), and how much they loved their country and family! We love them and are so proud to be the children of such fine and brave Veterans. Were they still here today, we would give them a hug, love, and tell them how proud we are of them!

Bill’s father was a member of the 10th Armored Division. Clyde was part of the “Battle of the Bulge.” December 22-26, 1944 was a very scary time for Clyde and the men he was with – they were surrounded by the Germans and had no idea if they were going to get out alive. Not only did they have to deal with the being the enemy, but they also had to deal with the elements of the weather and the lack of food supplies.

Pappaw Clyde and a little buddy! We think this was a picture of Clyde at his home place - notice the fence in the background - looks like a WV fence! :)

Pappaw Clyde and some of his Army buddies! Clyde is the one sitting in the middle.

On June 6, 2009, I thought about Dad. It wasn’t until 1999 that he told us the boat he was on was to have been one of the first ones to land on Normandy Beach June 6, 1944. For some reason, the boat he was on got out of line (some said due to mechanical problems). Dad and the 2nd Armored Division landed along Omaha Blue sector of Normandy beaches. Had Dad landed the day he was scheduled to – history for the Layne family would be a lot different than it is today! He did tell us that by the time he got ashore, the beaches had been cleaned up. This knowledge that Dad could have been one of those soldiers who landed first is one of the reasons I haven't seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan." My dad could have been one who didn't come home alive!

Dad and his buddy - Cecil - entered the service at the same time, went through boot camp together, but were not together when they went overseas!

Dad (in the middle) and some of his buddies in a "fox hole."

Most of the WW II veterans did not share everything they went through during the war. It was something they only shared with their comrades. Only those men and women who were part of this war to ensure that their family and friends would be living in a country that was free knew what is was like to be part of this event in our country's history. WW II veterans were proud to do their part for their country. Sadly, we are losing these veterans every day.

We do know that these “old soldiers” are now in a far better place. They are rejoicing with one another and our heavenly Father. I pray they know how much they are loved and will be missed. I also pray they know how much we appreciate their sacrifices to ensure the freedoms we all have today. I also hope that future generations understand what they did for them as well.

To all veterans and active members of the Armed Forces - thank you!!!!!

. . . And If Elected . . .

Thursday - August 12, 2010

When we get to see Cora, I try and capture as many pictures of her as I can. Some are blurry, others are good, but then some just capture our eyes, and we think are fantastic and tells a story.

On our visit to Columbus a couple of weeks ago, we strolled down the mall with Cora. We went into The Bear Company shop, and she picked out "Lamar." I was trying to get a picture of her smiling and holding "Lamar." The following picture is the only one with her looking at the camera and smiling. Poor Lamar is down behind the front of the stroller. I loved the look on Cora's face - the smile and look of innocence!

I used this picture as my background on the laptop. Bill was glancing over towards it the other evening and started laughing! (It was great to hear him laugh!) He said he had come up with a great caption for this picture!!! We all know how cute,beautiful, and friendly she is . . . . so we would use this picture with the words " . . . and if elected . . . " written underneath it. Now who would not vote for this precious baby girl?

She has our vote . . . . how about yours???

". . . and if elected . . . "

Back Porch Memories - A Bird's Eye View

Tuesday - August 10, 2010

One of the things my parents loved to do was sit out on the back porch early in the morning and watch for "their" birds. Dad loved feeding the birds - cardinals, wrens, robins, doves, orioles, and even the messy pigeons. He and the boys built a porch on the back of the house that was partially enclosed. He didn't want to be run inside because of the weather. He loved that back porch. He even built a swing to hang so he could watch the birds AND take a nap!!!!

Since Dad has gone Home, it has become Mom's favorite place to sit. She sits in Dad's spot watching the humming birds fight over the feeder she has hanging. Since her eye-sight is not what it use to be, she can't really see the Martins fly into their house Dad had the boys put up in the back. However, she listens for the birds as they sing their songs. She also goes out there to get "warm," even when the temperature is almost 100 degrees!!!

Both Mom and Dad couldn't wait until spring rolled around and it would be warm enough for them to sit on the porch with their morning cup of coffee listening to the birds wishing them a good morning! While sitting with Mom the other morning, I took some pictures, mainly so I could show Mom the pictures by enlarging them on the computer. She can't see the Martins, but she hears them!!! She loved these pictures, and we wanted to share some of them with all of you who may read this blog!!!

We love how I was able to capture some of the Martins still in flight!!!

There are two humming birds that fight over the feeder. I was only able to capture a picture of one at a time!!!

It Can be Healthy and Taste Good Too!!

Thursday - June 10, 2010

Trying to fix something that is easy, good, and healthy can be a challenge sometimes!! I have a Campbell's Soup Cookbook that has some great recipes that are easy to fix!! Many times I will tweak the recipe just a little. One recipe that Bill and I both like is a Chicken Enchilada which using Cream of Chicken Soup to make a sauce for the dish. Today I used "healthy" ingredients! I chose the following ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
• Fat Free Sour Cream
• ground Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• Mexican Seasoning
• Red, Yellow, Green Peppers
• Vidalia onion
• Can of Green Chilies
• Diced chicken tenders
• Shredded cheese - I used a four cheese Mexican mixture

Procedure:

• Clean and dice the peppers, onions, and chicken placing in separate bowls
• Mix one cup sour cream with a large can (or 2 small cans) of Cream of Chicken Soup
• Sprinkle you spices on veggies and chicken
• Saute onions, peppers, and then chicken
• Once chicken is tender, and sauteed veggies, and green chilies to the pan - reserve some of the veggies to place on top of enchiladas
• Add about 3/4 cup of sour cream/soup mixture to the pan - mix well
• Warm the tortillas in the microwave -easier to handle when they are warm
• Spoon mixture onto one of the tortillas - roll - and place in a pan sprayed with Pam
• After all tortillas have been placed in the pan - spread the rest of the sour cream/soup mixture on top of the tortillas!
• Using reserved veggies - spread them on top of the soup mixture
• Bake at least 30 min at 350 degrees - cover with foil
• Remove foil - sprinkle shredded cheese on top and return to oven uncovered for about 10 minutes - or until cheese melts!
• Remove from oven and ENJOY

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Sour Cream and Cream of Chicken Soup Mixture
Mexican Seasoning, Ground Cumin, and Green Chilies

Lemon Pepper Seasoning and Garlic Powder

Saute the onions sprinkled with seasoning - to your taste and choice

Saute the peppers sprinkled with seasonings

Saute the the chicken

Dice the green chilies - you can buy a can already diced!

Once chicken is tender, mix with sauteed veggies, green chilies, and soup mixture.

Place a couple of spoonfuls onto the tortilla and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.

Roll each tortilla and place in a baking dish sprayed with Pam.

Using remaining soup mixture - pour over rolled tortillas; then use reserved veggies on top of soup mixture. Cover with foil and bake!

Bake for 30 min (350) - remove from oven - sprinkle with cheese - return to oven until cheese melts - about 10 min.

We had shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, olives, and refried beans (fat free) with our meal.

You tweak this recipe to suit you own taste - maybe using steak instead of chicken!!!! Add jalapeno peppers to add a bite to the dish - let your imagination soar!