minding my nest

practicing the art of an ordinary life

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recent blog posts

  • Learning to See | Creating Space

    Learning to See | Creating Space
  • May Looked Like This

    May Looked Like This
  • Learning to See | I Beg Your Pardon

    Learning to See | I Beg Your Pardon
  • Some Sweet May Time

    Some Sweet May Time
  • Learning To See | Because a Little Goes A Long Way

    Learning To See | Because a Little Goes A Long Way

Learning to See | Creating Space

So often in my photography practice, I tend to "fill the frame," so to speak. But sometimes it's nice to back up a little and create some space in my photos. Give the viewer's eyes a place to rest. Allow my subjects a little breathing room, if you will. Space. Rest. Breathing room. It's not ... read more

Filed Under: Learning To See, photography Leave a Comment

May Looked Like This

May looked like birthdays and celebrations and lots of time with my favorite people. May looked a busy momma robin and her babies in the saucer magnolia tree in the backyard. May looked like the honeysuckle that scrambles along my neighbor's fence and me stopping by frequently to take in ... read more

Filed Under: life, seasons 2 Comments

Learning to See | I Beg Your Pardon

I planted my first David Austin roses in the spring of 2015, and over the years they have provided me with lots of joy and photographic inspiration. And like every gardening adventure, growing roses has had its share of ups and downs. The downs mostly due to the unpredictable (and sometimes ... read more

Filed Under: Learning To See 2 Comments

Some Sweet May Time

Take courage, then, O doubting soul,No day so dark and drearBut holds amid its dearth and dolePromise of gladness near.The seed thou sowest may slumber long ~How long thou canst not know ~But some sweet May time, glad with song,The precious germs will grow.And, nursed by summer's warmth and ... read more

Filed Under: seasons Leave a Comment

Learning To See | Because a Little Goes A Long Way

Have you heard of "glimmers"? I recently came across the term while scrolling on Instagram (I know...don't say it) and wanted to know more. So of course, I asked the internet and here is what it told me: "Trigger" has become a commonplace term in our cultural lexicon, but few people ... read more

Filed Under: Learning To See 2 Comments

Learning to See | A Self Portrait

I often say that that photography changed my life because it taught me not only to see my life differently, but myself differently. And this post from August 2012 was another step on this journey. I can honestly say that this is one of the most vulnerable posts I've shared here in this space. ... read more

Filed Under: Learning To See Leave a Comment

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My New Photography Class Is Here!

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About Me

Hi There! I’m Kelly. I am a wife, mom, light seeker, homemaker, and storyteller. From an empty nest to an abundant life, all it took was a little time, a lot of faith, and the courage to see my life differently.

You can read more about my story here.

So now, armed with my trusty Canon camera, here is where I share my journey to live an inspired and intentional life.

Welcome to my little corner of the interwebs!

Learning to See Photography Series

December Daily® 2022

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AROUND THE WEB

Regular Contributor to Focusing on Life.

Story Teller for Ali Edwards Design Team

Currently Teaching at Big Picture Classes.

My Portfolio - Kelly Ishmael Photography

Even though, technically speaking, it’s not offi Even though, technically speaking, it’s not officially summer yet, here in my neck of the woods, I can tell that we’ve turned the corner so to speak. The spring winds have died down and in their place the thick, humid summer haze has taken up residence. I can see it my garden too… we’ve gone from daffodils to daylilies.

Summer is here. And I absolutely love it.

It’s usually around this time of year when I start to see lots of summer bucket lists and manifestos. Which is great (I would say especially so if you have little ones to keep entertained and/or engaged for summer). But the problem for me is that they always seem to morph into an utterly impossible and in-achievable agenda. 

So instead, I like to take a breath and a pause and ask myself, “Kelly, what do you really want from summer?”

Turns out…it’s quite simple actually. 

I want a summer that is grace-filled. Joy-full. I want connection and laughter. Freedom and adventure. Whimsy and light. And while I am so looking forward to some of the fun things my family has planned, I would also like to create some margin and space for the unexpected. For the impromptu. For the spontaneous.

Funny thing is, my intention for the summer is really just the same as for the rest of the year. Which is to be fully present in my own life. To not be thinking two hours ahead or three tasks ahead. To see with new eyes and an open heart. To just be present in each moment whatever that may be...because regardless of the season, that's where the magic lies.
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#gatheredstyle #foreverfaffing #loveliest4 #astilllifestyle #floral_faffery #still_life_gallery #tv_stillife #jj_still_life #tv_living #global_ladies #transfer_visions #tv_neatly #tv_flowers #tv_retro #etherealmoods #moody_tones #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #curated_nature #ihavethisthingwithflowers #stylingtheseasons #petalsandprops #floralperfection #thefolkpr0ject #blissfulphotoart #creative_florals
Earlier this Spring I planted two new @davidaustin Earlier this Spring I planted two new @davidaustinroses after losing my original rose bushes that had been severely damaged from two years of harsh Oklahoma weather.

The beautiful variety is called ‘Olivia Rose Austin’ and she is the sweetest pink blossom with a light, fruity fragrance. And I am looking forward to many more of her delightful blooms this summer. 

After feeling a sense of sadness at the loss of my other roses, what a joy it is to have this new color and beauty in my garden.
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#tv_flowers #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #dofnature #dof_brilliance #bokeh_bliss #bokeh_and_blur #transfer_visions #tv_flowers #tv_fadingingbeauty #tv_depthoffield #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature #moody_tones #raw_allnature #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature_ #ihavethisthingwithflowers #nb_nature_brilliance #kaigarden2023 #davidaustinroses
Hello June. 🌸 . . . . . #gatheredstyle #forever Hello June. 🌸
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#gatheredstyle #foreverfaffing #loveliest4 #astilllifestyle #floral_faffery #still_life_gallery #tv_stillife #jj_still_life #tv_living #global_ladies #transfer_visions #tv_neatly #tv_flowers #tv_retro #etherealmoods #moody_tones #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #curated_nature #ihavethisthingwithflowers #stylingtheseasons #petalsandprops #floralperfection #thefolkpr0ject #blissfulphotoart #creative_florals #kaigarden2023
This week the @aliedwardsdesigninc community is co This week the @aliedwardsdesigninc community is coming together to celebrate our shared love of photos as a huge piece of our storytelling + memory keeping adventures. Today I am delighted to be on Ali’s blog sharing a project that documents my love for photography and why photos matter to me. 

I have been taking a photos every day (more or less) and it’s a practice that still brings me so much joy. As always, thank you for letting me share my photos and stories with you.
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#gatheredstyle #foreverfaffing #loveliest4 #astilllifestyle #floral_faffery #still_life_gallery #tv_stillife #jj_still_life #tv_living #global_ladies #transfer_visions #tv_neatly #tv_flowers #tv_retro #etherealmoods #moody_tones #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #curated_nature #ihavethisthingwithflowers #stylingtheseasons #petalsandprops #floralperfection #thefolkpr0ject #blissfulphotoart #creative_florals 
#craftthestory #scrapbooking #aephotolovewhy
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