Stella cheerfully guides her bike next to Emily & Stephen’s on the spacious rack and then unsnaps her grape, leopard print helmet. A few cotton candy clouds dot the sky. Seventy-five glorious degrees swirl lightly around us. Dappled light, the color of honey, winks through grand oak canopies. Dane County Farmers’ Market is already abuzz with a mass of chatty, happy shoppers—totes slung over shoulders, local coffee cozied between hands. Leisurely shuffles allow the crowd the ability to relish every color, texture, and fragrant note wafting on the Square.
When you’re market regulars like the Balsleys, you know exactly what you need and where to find it–favorite vendors for weekly treats and a mental list for special recipes. First stop on the list: a star-shaped sugar cookie with sparkly blue sprinkles. 8 a.m.? Doesn’t matter. Stella gives a thumbs up approval and we’re on our way. Next stop: deep red strawberries basking in the sun’s spotlight. Two sweet quarts fill the market bag. Onto summer bouquets: Stella chooses one with greens, reds, blues, purples with a pop of yellow. We have two more vendor stops before a spontaneous yoga break on the downy Capitol lawn…for sure, the best kind. After they have been heartily fueled by strawberries, honey sticks, and beef jerky (yep), Stella takes off for an old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek amongst the trees. And then back to the waxing crowd for additional market goods.
Once the list is complete and the bag is heavy, it is time to return to the bikes for the ride home. Stephen and Emily pack their wares in their baskets, and start walking their bikes toward the city’s path.
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We catch wind of each other again along the Southwest Commuter Bike Path. Stella’s strong, sweet voice reaches the bridge before she does–a peppy song about muffins–and they zip by.Chloe, the beloved Plott Hound, merrily greets us as we step out of the sun into the cool. The house is bathed in color: blues, oranges, reds leap against bright white walls. It is a feast for the eyes at each turn. Pale blue ambient light filters through the backyard redbud tree and falls on the warm butcher block countertops. The Crosley needle, weighted by a couple quarters, hits The War on Drugs’ Lost In The Dream vinyl album and the crisp, airy kitchen stirs alive with notable electronic synthesizers and cymbals. While Emily prepares the market bouquet in an old Mason jar, Stephen assembles the splendidly simple pancake ingredients: gluten-free flour, egg, buttermilk, melted butter, baking powder. Stella, who is perched on a yoga block, measures and empties silky flour into a bright orange bowl, followed by a gingerly cracked egg and the remaining items. Emily’s strawberry stained hands are busy washing and slicing. Stephen whisks the batter to a lather and then juliennes the almonds. Sausages and pancakes begin to theatrically sizzle and “An Ocean Between the Waves” shares the delicious airspace.
Cold juice and hot breakfast are served.
Stephen’s Strawberry Pancakes
1 C gluten free flour
1 C buttermilk
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 egg
1 Tbsp baking powder
Batter on griddle – sprinkle sliced strawberries
Flip when they start to bubble
Top with more strawberries, whipped cream, slivered almonds and maple syrup
After dredging her stack in maple syrup, Stella takes a small bite. Then a micro-pause. Her eyes pop in delight and confidently declares: this is so good it’s making my toes wrinkly. Forks lightly clanging on breakfast plates and “Eyes in the Wind” are the only sounds breaking the dining silence. Superior praise, yes?
While Stephen & Emily clear the table, Stella finds herself in the living room creating a treasure map. Soon she is hiding her riches under the heart-shaped leaf awning in the backyard as Emily & Stephen & Chloe make their way through the picket gate, stretching their post-breakfast legs for a neighborhood walk. They stroll along, holding hands & chatting with friendly neighbors, and then swoop back home for some quiet time. Stella steps through her rainbow curtain into her gorgeously color-saturated “bedge room” for reading & games.
I say it again and again–your ordinary days together as a family are absolutely beautiful. I wholeheartedly believe images of this time and place will be cherished for their authenticity, the realness of how we spend the hours in our lives with whom we love the most. xoxo!
There are only 23 amazing Saturdays left this year. What will you do with yours?
Emily shared her thoughts on working with me:
We know we’re not a typical family and we didn’t want a typical family portrait. We started noticing Jen’s photos on Facebook and were impressed with her unique ability to tell a story with her work. We talked to Jen about coming to our house on a Saturday morning to experience breakfast and a trip to the farmers’ market. We knew that Jen would take intimate family photos. And even with our high expectations we were amazed by how she isolated the essence of that morning into a series of breathtaking, artistic photographs. Jen was genuinely a fun person to hang out with and someone who seamlessly integrated into our routine. They photos she took wowed everyone, including us. We wanted something outside the realms of a typical portrait. What we received was a true reflection of our family and we couldn’t be happier.
xo,
Jen
Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.