minding my nest

practicing the art of an ordinary life

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My New Photography Class Is Here!

Here’s where you can find me on the web

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!

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I wholeheartedly believe that there is beauty and magic to be found in my ordinary life and I would be honored to share it with you. Enter your information below to receive my blog posts via email, and I will share with you some free resources to help you find the light and the magic in your own photography!

December Daily® 2021

2019 Memory Keeping

Week in the Life™ 2019

2018 December Daily

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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

Scenes from peak season in my neck of the woods. 🍁
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#asseenonmywalk #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #dofnature #dof_brilliance #bokeh_bliss #bokeh_and_blur #transfer_visions #tv_depthoffield #tv_allnature #jj_justnature #raw_allnature #moody_tones #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature_ #nb_nature_brilliance #leaveonlyleaves

***Giveaway Closed*** Congrats @tinacreates and @

***Giveaway Closed***

Congrats @tinacreates and @_shane_o_13! Please message me with your shipping info and will get these in the mail to you. 🤶🏼

Did you know that today marks the beginning of National Game and Puzzle Week? It’s a week that typically spans Thanksgiving week and dedicated to celebrating all types of board games, word games, and puzzles.

I would consider myself a true puzzle enthusiast. I love the methodical process of finding the edge pieces and then finding similar patterns and filling in the various vignettes. I love how puzzles are way to help me connect my hands and my head in a tactile way. I love the calm, relaxed feeling I have after spending time working on puzzle.

Besides my own anecdotal experience, there are numerous studies and findings about the mental health benefits of doing a jigsaw puzzle. Not only do puzzles help improve visual-spatial reasoning and enhance short-term memory, they can also increase your IQ. Plus, working on puzzles engages both sides of your brain – the more logical and linear left-side and the more creative and intuitive right-side. Think of it like cross-fit for your brain.

And as if those benefits weren’t enough, puzzles are also great at reducing stress and anxiety. When we focus and concentrate on a puzzle, it turns off other thoughts which can bring about a sense of calm and actually lower our heart rate and blood pressure. Plus, the added boost of dopamine we get from working a puzzle is an instant mood-lifter.

So to celebrate my love for puzzles, I am giving away two copies of the puzzle that I created for @aliedwardsdesigninc and the 2022 @decemberdaily release. To enter, tag a fellow puzzle lover in the comments below and I will choose the winners at random. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, November 22nd at 10:00 am (CT). Note: Please accept my sincerest apologies that I am only able to ship to those in the contiguous US.

Finally, I would like to express my wholehearted gratitude to @aliedwards, @katiejaeger, and @inkedbrands for allowing me to contribute to this incredibly special project in this way. It is a delight and an honor. ❤️
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#puzzle #puzzles #puzzletime #jigsawpuzzle #puzzlelo

It usually takes a week or so, but I feel like I'm

It usually takes a week or so, but I feel like I'm finally acclimated to the time change. Years of paying attention to the way the light comes into my house are a big help in resetting my internal clock.

Fun fact about me...I almost always know what time it is without looking at the clock.

Anyway, I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm always a little sad when we switch the clocks back to standard time. I don't mind sitting in the early-morning darkness while I have my coffee and quiet time. And I really appreciate having the extra light in the evenings after work.

One thing I have learned though over the years though, is to appreciate each season for its own gifts and blessings. And so I'm leaning into new rhythms and embracing a new flow to my days.
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#transfer_visions #tv_living #tv_hiddenbeauty #tv_doorsandwindows #tv_retro #doorsandwindows #jj_doorsandwindows #moody_tones #moodmagic #flashesofdelight #allthingsofbeauty_ #kaieverydaymagic

"Indeed, before you the whole universe is like a g

"Indeed, before you the whole universe is like a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance.

For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made; for you would not fashion what you hate."

~Wis 11:22-24
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#leaveonlyleaves #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #transfer_visions #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature #moody_tones #raw_allnature #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature_ #nb_nature_brilliance

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Some of My Favorite Topics

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