my kids are pretty cute

A catch up -- (book reviews included)

Recently I'm on a "break" with the internet. Well, at least compared to the winter months when I seem to while away a bit of every nap time reading blogs, writing my own blog, and adding things onto my gargantuan amazon wishlist. But spring came early this year in Utah. And I've been more than preoccupied with springtime projects and even a couple other big projects that perhaps I'll eventually blog about, but more likely not. So here is just a brief recap. Lately I've read some good books:

Loved The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages. This is a YA non-fiction book that takes place stateside during WWII. I'm giving it 8.5 stars, such a wonderful book I'm now recommending to all of my nieces - (thanks Gina for the recommendation!)

Also enjoyed Wild Mountain Thyme by Rosamunde Pilcher -- yep, right now you are probably thinking I am a Pilcher addict. This is true, if only because I stumbled upon a whole case of her books at a library remainder sale and bought all 15 of them for about two dollars a piece. I've been slowly working my way through them and for the most part loving them. This isn't one of her meaty novels and of course it pairs at waif-like, young, naive blonde with a charming if not over-domineering much older man (ruggedly handsome of course) and its definitely on the predictable side. But its also charming Pilcher -- she has such a way with describing settings I always find myself wanting to live in her books -- and its definitely a comfort read. How about 7 stars? Good, but go in just expecting something light.

Right now I'm in the throes of reading this book, this book and this book. Am loving all of them, and they are all so different its nice to switch back and forth between them.

Lately we've spent a lot of time with the animals. The farm just got new pygmy goats! (pictures to come). The boys have been particularly loving our bunnies....oh so Easter right? Do you love how fluffy this bunny is -- Gavin is convinced he is a kitty and the white one is the only "bunny wabbit."

We've enjoyed a lot of family time lately -- even having my nephew over for a couple days and now my niece all this week. The boys have loved the company and I have loved having some new photography models -- how darling is my nephew?

Randomly I got a mini-temp job for one week at JCrew as they moved to the new mall at City Creek. Lets be honest, I just did it for the discount and then I promptly spent three times my pay in clothes from the store, but I feel it was a great trade-- and as I replenished much of Jordan's wardrobe too, he isn't complaining. Oh jCrew, I wish I could quit you, but I can't. Perhaps I'll have to arrange to work for you once a year so I can use the employee discount and stock up :)

now you see me, now you don't

Isn't photoshop amazing. Briefly ran outside after Sunday family dinner and took the big family "Christmas Card" photo a couple weeks ago. Just pasted myself in afterward. What would I do without photoshop? (you can click to enlarge these)

I may never be skinny again.

Halloween Candy + Addiction to Fall Baked Goods + Scrumptious holiday food on the horizon + photographing for a candy company means I may never be skinny again. Seriously. You may think I'm joking, but I'm being serious. I um may have sampled more than my fair share from my recent shoot -- but who can blame me -- you're kinda thinking about licking the screen right now right?

Autumn. Pictures. Death. And of course Deep Philosophical Quandaries

1. I probably should separate all of these things into separate posts and schedule them to post on different days. But that feels like too much work, so this is what you get.
2. Do you love my macabre title? Oooh I'm so Halloweeeny
3. Speaking of Halloween -- I've resolved to dress up this year. Lame or not lame? I can't decide, but either way I'm going for it.

Now for the real stuff:

I am in love with Fall this year. The colors. The weather. The fact that we had a bumper crop of grapes this year and so we just finished putting up 47 quarts of home made grape juice (my teeth may never be white again). I actually like the winter (even the snow, gasp, I know), but I'd be okay if Autumn could stay around a little longer this year.


This year we did family pictures! Pretty much every year we've done a tripod special (see some past years here and here), but this year I did a photo swap with my friend (and awesome photographer), Mandi. I'm sure I will be posting more, but I loved this one she took of me & Ike -- both cheesing it completely of course.

Thanks again Mandi! Now if I can get my act together perhaps I'll get a decent Christmas card out this year.

There has been a death at Mickelsen farm. Actually two. I guess this is part of farm life. But two deaths in one weekend seems a little intense. First we had to put down our beloved Cocker Spaniel, Benny. He was old, and sick (cancer), and having trouble eating his food, and it was the most humane thing to do. But it doesn't make it easier, when he's been a family pet for about fourteen years. Took this photo of him with Mom on his last day (don't worry, Kevin is both the literal & figurative "ham" and insisted on crashing every photo).

We miss you Benny.



Next, was the demise of Mr. Billy. This one is more farm-like I guess. Lots of people ask me why we keep goats on the farm, since we actually don't milk them (Billy is a boy, so technically that would be impossible). Most are surprised when I tell them its for weed control. Goats will eat weeds from the fields that the horses & the cows leave behind. Also they eat all of our left over canning remains. Pretty much goats will eat about anything, they are like the carp of the hircine world (confession: I initially typed bovine, but did a quick double check and found out that in truth bovine refers just to cows and goats are in effect in the hircine family -- now you think I'm really weird right? well you could be correct).

Goats are pretty affectionate animals, they are dumber than dogs, but are probably the most exuberantly friendly animal we've ever raised (perhaps because along with seeking to be pet they are also a bit interested in nibbling your clothing). However Mr. Billy along with being friendly is extremely playful. That was all well and good until he hit the "teenage" years of his life when he became overly aggressive. All the sudden he was intent on lowering his head and running at you full throttle to head butt you as a welcome. It only took him pummeling each of my little boys once for us to decide he should be put on a leash. Billy didn't take to the leash and became more of a problem animal than his weed eating skills negated. So we did what any sensible farm family would do I suppose. We ate him. Actually, by **WE,** I mean that we gave him to my Uncle Vili, (who happens to really like goat -- yes there are indeed people that love goat meat) and he ate him. Waste not want not I guess. So we sort of miss Billy, but not really -- I guess we miss the old Billy (pre-pummeling days Billy). Although, next year we are going to get pygmy goats to replace him so I'm pretty stoked about that.

.....Now is the time for deep philosophical quandaries, if I'm following my title, to the letter (which apparently I am), but Gavin has awoken so it appears my computer time is up, so perhaps I'll save it for another day. Or more likely I'll forget about whatever weighty issue was on my mind and all of you will be left to ponder on what I was about to pontificate about. Although its likely no one is even reading this right now too :)

the moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free

this is my current favorite reading place: on the back hammock. Paradise.

harvest is here!

Its peach season. Actually its almost everything season. And I love it! So pardon me while I post an unreasonable amount of food images.

This time of year means lots of time outside working in the garden. Both boy are really big "helpers."



Here are JUST A FEW of the things that are ready for the picking on the farm, it is all so beautiful I had to bring my camera out to capture all of it.







Apparently Gavin is my peach boy, and he is willing to share.

and he's off.....

Last week was a big week for my family, one of the reasons why is that my youngest brother left went into the MTC in preparation for his mission to Houston, Texas. Being the awesome big sister that I am, I took his mission photos before he left. He's pretty handsome ehh?

And he definitely does not look like a 19 year old boy -- but don't worry, he mostly still acts like it. I'm really pleased with how these turned out because we just took them on our basket ball court with no fancy lighting, just a couple reflectors and a backdrop I taped up to our retaining wall. It just goes to show, sometimes simple is best.

Also a little joke, I made up these "trading cards" for him.

currently obsessed with evening light

an evening sky

can you spot Ike, two cows and two goats in this picture? Am loving all the thunderstorms we've been having each night.

Sunday Drives

Utah has had some fantastic thunder storms this week (my favorite). Nothing better than an exciting thunderstorm after its been a hot summer day. Last Sunday we took the boys on a long drive during one and it was breath-taking over the lake. One thing I love about where we live is you can be in dramatically different landscapes in a matter of minutes (pine forest/canyon vista or desert lake scenes both within 15 minutes). Am wishing I had made the boys jump out of the car and actually be in this photo, though I still like it just as scenery too.

Mr. Blue Eyes

Lately Gavin is in the phase that whenever he sees me (literally) he bursts into tears and starts chanting "Up!" Yes sir, this little boy cannot be in the same room with his mother and not be utterly miserable unless I am holding him and preferably staring right into his face. Its 50% flattering and 50% annoy me to the brink of insanity. One exception to this, is if Nanny is around. The one LOVES his grandma, probably because she is happy to oblige to stare right into his face whenever he wants. Which works out nicely for me when I want to take a picture of him and can't hold him at the same time.





Oh yes and I probably should put one up in color so you can see why we call him Mr. Blue Eyes.

Good thing I'm related to attractive people...

Recently I've been doing some stock photography. Luckily I'm related to some pretty darn attractive people who I can coerce into being my models. See my pretty niece Abby, here and my "nephew" J.T. here.

I will definitely need more models in the future (once my family gets completely sick of it), so if you're interested in modeling in exchange for free pictures email me (jandeemjones@gmail.com)!

Almost Dad's Day

One of the great delights of my life has been watching Jordan as a father to our children. Isaac & Gavin are pretty darn lucky to have him, the thing about Jordan that is remarkable is that he has hidden depths of patience.....something I am severely lacking in sometimes. Happy Father's Day Love!

for no reason...

For no reason other than he's cute. And he's getting a tan. And I helped make him so I must have done something right, right?






Isaac's favorite thing is to run amok in "wilderness," hiding, digging in dirt and just generally reveling in nature. I've been trying to capture some of his delight so I can remember how much my little wilderness boy is easily pleased while taking in the great outdoors.