Garden Recommendation: Red Russian Kale

I tried a new plant this year that I'm crazy about called Red Russian Kale. It's very different than ordinary varieties of kale in that the smaller leaves can be eaten raw in salad but if you let it grow larger, it's eaten as a cooked green similar to collard greens or other varieties of kale. The plant grows vigorously and keeps producing leaves as long as you keep trimming, and supposedly is very hardy to cold. Above is a slaw I made with sliced red kale and red cabbage. (Can't link to the recipe because people could find the family blog from the link showing up on KK.)

For all the gardeners in the family, I heartily recommend trying this next year. I think the seeds are pretty readily available, and I saw them lots of places online if you don't see them in the store.

My knees are still shaking a little.

Apologies to those of you who have wondered if we are "unshaken" after the earthquake in California. I'm SWAMPED on a very exciting new venture (details later) and haven't had a chance to update here. But here's the update. I'VE TRULY NEVER BEEN MORE SCARED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I was in my office on the third floor of a large building when it hit. (Yes, I know, you're thinking, 'Office? Rand has an office?' Like I said, details later.) I was nearly knocked off my feet during the very first shake. After that the blinds in my office were slamming into the windows and the entire building shook very hard for what felt like 3o seconds. I wasn't sure what to do so I RAN to the stairwell. It was jammed with people exciting the building. After about 1/2 hour outside I was hesitant to return to the office. Thankfully, other than rattled nerves, no damage was found at the office or house. Thanks for the well wishes. I hope to not feel anything like that again soon. SCARY!

PS: I just grabbed that picture of the road...it's nothing I actually saw.

Lisa has a GREEN THUMB!!!

How about this cabbage!! It's 13" about the size of a basketball. Get ready for Mother's famous cabbage, bacon, and vinegar cole slaw. YUM!!

If you think that is impressive, look at the corn!! Problem is... the pesky racoons are helping themselves every night... and they're winning!! Notice the cute marigolds between the corn and the peppers, yeah that's Lisa's touch. Cute huh. Just like her.

Here's the tomato patch!! they're so big I had to cut some of them off to make way for the water. It's ok though, there's about 4,578 tomatoes left, counting the cherrys.

I didn't get pictures of the cukes, spagetti squash, peppers, jalepenos, cantalope, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkins, potatoes, onions, or beans, but trust me... they are impressive also!!

I do have to confess, the corn is not ours. Its our neighbor's and all our garden is downstream from it. We're growing on his property and he waters it with irrigation water when he does his.

This country life is ok. If we just had a goat, some chickens, a llama or two, and of course, the front half of a cute baby calf for Rand (he doesn't want the poopy end) oh, and a pony for the grandkids. Ok, maybe just a new puppy for starters.

Oh and did I mention, Lisa made about 30 pints of apricot jam yesterday from another neighbor's tree. Wow, it doesn't get any better than that!! Like I said, she has a GREEN THUMB. Thanks honey, I love you more.

Hudson Enjoying the Food at Dave and Amy's Party

Ostler Women from Dave and Amy's Party

Denny Family Men and Boys from Dave and Amy's Party

I learned one thing from these shots of the men - make sure you get the feet in the picture!

Elder Ostler

Dear Family,
Thanks for the letter and I am well. Also for the camera it works great, I really enjoy it. Well what happened was we were coming home from town and we just got done talking to our ward mission leader and things were going great. Even before the wreck we lined up a ride to a meeting we had that would take a lot of miles for the next day. Then off we were a few miles from home and a bout a mile before home I wasn't paying as much attention as I should of. Then we fish tailed a little bit and I tried to over correct it and we couldn't and we hit the passenger side of the the front bumper and it picked us up in the ditch and we rolled in the air and took out three six foot fence posts and we landed on the passenger side and then on the top and it did a 360. Also Elder Kerby said in the air I was saying Kerrrrrby!!!!!! which we laughed about later. When the car finally stopped I asked Elder Kerby if he was okay and then he asked me. Elder Kerby crawled out of his window and I said I couldn't get out he asked me to unbuckle my seatbelt then I did and I opened the door and climbed out. Then we saw the front window was shattered and the front passenger side too. After that a guy that heard it on his porch came running through his field and asked if we were okay. I had a little gash in my right wrist and in my left finger and Elder Kerbys elbow got a little scape. Then we called the police and the mssion President and our leaders. We made the best out of the situation and I talked to the officer about the church and it turns out that some of his family are members of the church. He also told me that his cousin plays for BYU basketball team. Then we talked to other people that came too about the about the church at the accident. I always try to make the best out of every situation and I got a ticket but we don't know how much yet. Also after we came home a really neat thing happened we first knelt down in prayer and thanked heavanly father for wathcing over us that night. The feeling that me and Elder Kerby felt was one I will never forget was that we felt the spirit so strong that night more than I have felt being on my mission. It was so strong that I was in tears. We also learned that night that we need to follow the speed limit beacuase I was only going 40 in a 35 mph area and this happend. I also know that god watches over us more than we can even comprehend or even think about. I also know that the people that came in our aid couldn't believe how me and my comp were making the best out of the situation and I know that it will open doors in the future for us and other missionaries about what happend and our reaction. I know this has helped the members becauase it forced them to help us even more without a car for rides and other things. I know that this was a blessing that a lot of people didn't notice at the time.with love,
Elder Ostler

Denny Women Photos from Dave and Amy's Party

Photo credit to Mark, who was the photographer on two of these shots. Some photos had to be rejected because the Denny women were having too much fun during the photo shoot!

Family Party at Dave and Amy's House

I had a great time practicing taking photos at the family party at Dave and Amy's house ( and I can see that I do need more practice shooting people, so thanks for letting me practice on you guys!) It was fun to see the Stouffers and Janet and Jon. I will share the photos a few at a time, whenever I get time to edit them. By the way, I notice group shots are especially challenging, and trust me, I'm trying to pick the best photo I can each time!

Summer '08

We love Summer! Mountains, friends, playing outside, baseball, hiking with the kids - it's all great and an important part of a life well lived.

These pictures show a few of the great moments we've enjoyed during the Summer of 2008.

High quality versions of each of these photos can be found here.

Well look who's having a birthday!

One of the kindest, most talented, most selfless, most creative, and most compassionate members of our family is a year older today. Boy did we get lucky when she chose Dave! Now if that didn't give it away, here's another clue...dead center in the picture! Yes, although Amy looks 28, she's actually closer to 30 today (give or take a year or two). We love you Amy. Have an wonderful birthday!

GREAT PARADE..... GREAT COMPANY TOO!!

Willeys, Dennys,& Stouffers enjoyed the parade Wednesday night. Stouffers surprised us and showed up half way through...

It was hot !!!

There were some great floats, but I didn't take pictures
of many of them.

This one was Stu's favorite. Jessica is having fun riding in the parade.

A representation of those present. I think the Dennys
were on the left...most didn't get in this picture, sorry.

There were horses.

Hot chicks and studs!

At attention for the flag.

Kara, Tim, Coop, Soph

Nate and Sara

Mark and Lisa...hot and sitting in the sun.
Sorry about the sun next year I will select the place better.

I think everyone had fun...let's do it again.

Matt and his friend came, but I guess the camera was
put away by then...

Trip to Kynastons & Laynee's First Swim

We just had a really fun weekend with the Kynastons. Em and I made applesauce and Laynee got to swim for the first time. Below are some of the pictures that we took.

I had to post this one because I think this may be the first time I have seen Brian hold a baby that is not his! Laynee loved having him hold her!

Jessi was so cute reading to her - she loved it so much she fell asleep!

Kelcie is such a good helper!!

Laynee's first time in a swimsuit

Swimming with Dad.

Here is a small video of her first swim. She actually enjoyed it.

I just had to add this picture because I thought she looked so dang cute!

Happy cryer

Aly told me that she is showing signs of some more Willey genes because she happy cried yesterday morning while watching "The View". We looked up this video on you tube and I watched it with the music after she left and I admit I happy cried as well.

Let's go to a parade---on the 23rd

For those that would like to join us, we are going to the Btfl 24th parade. It
is on Wed. the 23rd at 6pm.
We will likely just go over to the park after and get a hot dog or corn on the cob.
I will go down at 5 am to save as much room as possible. Bring your own chairs. I
will save spots with blankets, too, so if you want to just sit on the blankets you don't need
chairs.

This is Aly and Lauren at the last parade!! Look how much fun
they are having!