Skip to content
← Back to Journal
Portrait Stories

Jill's Mixer

"Jill's Mixer"

My latest addition to the ONE Project features Jill Wohldmann Harper and a kitchen item that is near and dear to her heart!

Here is Jill's story:

I love to bake. I always have. When I got married, I opted for using my wedding cash for even more practical things like sheets and plates. The $300 KitchenAid mixer was not in this photographer’s budget. When we moved to our next house, my husband, Mason, decided that I needed this appliance in my life, so I bought one in a color that was all the rage at the time: red. And I named her Lucy.

Well, Mason was right… I did need it. The amount of time over the last 18 or so years that I have spent in front of this mixer is incalculable. I baked for wedding showers, baby showers, Christmas parties, office parties, dinners, banquets, and all matter of "just because" reasons. Lucy was the first thing plugged in in my new kitchen in this strange new land of Kansas.

I can honestly say that working in the kitchen for me is home. It’s where I go when I am happy, concerned, in new season, or coming out of an old one. I’ve been been working peacefully while making chocolate chip cookies on a Sunday afternoon. But I’ve also been frantic and stress baking when waiting to hear news about a friend who is hurt. When I knew zero people in Kansas, I had the comfort of the kitchen. Lucy has been a part of all of those moments.

When we redecorated our kitchen last year, let’s just say that Lucy’s early 2000’s era red did not go with the theme. I talked about painting the mixer black or even getting a new one. But I knew it wouldn’t be the same. So she stands on the kitchen counter ready to help in all her glory.

Is it possible to be grateful to a mixer? Let’s just say it is.

Written by

Larry Lourcey

Larry Lourcey is a Master Photographer with more than 25 years of experience creating timeless family portraits.

Keep Reading

More from the Journal

View all

ONE Project

Rebecca's Bicycle

Rebecca's Bicycle - The ONE Project

ONE Project

The Fiddle

This project has produced some very emotional stories, but this is one you won't forget. Here is Marsha's story.‍

ONE Project

The Proposal Poem

"The Proposal Poem" I'm very excited to unveil the latest addition to my ONE Project - this one featuring my dear friend Ronda Gunther. Years ago, she wanted images to use on a dating app- and I like to think my photography helped her to find her husband! Here is Ronda's story....

Begin Your Portrait

Let's tell your story with a portrait.

A timeless portrait goes beyond how someone looks. It tells a story worth keeping.