minding my nest

practicing the art of an ordinary life

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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!

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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

There is positive news for the western monarch pop

There is positive news for the western monarch population! Last week observers at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History counted thousands of monarchs roosting at their butterfly sanctuary. And after not seeing any at all last year, it was a very welcome sight.

I am still seeing monarchs in my neck of the woods too. And every time I see one, I say a little prayer of gratitude for delight and wonder of these special little creatures.
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#monarchbutterfly #butterfliesofInstagram #nature #naturephotography #naturelover #flowersandmacro #macro_brillance #nature_brillance #naturelovers #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #transfer_visions #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature

I have recently gotten into the habit of making th

I have recently gotten into the habit of making the bed every morning before I get started with my work for the day. And trust me when I tell you that no one is more is surprised about this than I am.

Making the bed has never been a big deal to Tripp either, so up until now, we would just straighten up the sheets and blankets before getting into bed.

It’s been this way for almost thirty years. Until about a month ago. I had walked into the bedroom after answering some emails and I don’t know - I just had this strong urge to make the bed. So I did. And then I did it again the next day. And the day after that.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately…wondering why now? After a lifetime of not doing it, what changed? And what I have determined is that making the bed gives the whole bedroom a sense of tranquility. Which is something I am craving in just about every aspect of my life right now.

So now I guess I’m a person who makes the bed every morning. It’s such a simple, yet soothing morning ritual. And a daily practice in cultivating some stillness and peace for my soul.

I would love to know - do you make the bed every morning? What are some of your daily rituals or practices that bring tranquility to your life?
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#transfer_visions #tv_living #tv_hiddenbeauty #tv_doorsandwindows #tv_retro #doorsandwindows #jj_doorsandwindows #moody_tones #moodmagic #flashesofdelight #allthingsofbeauty_ #kaieverydaymagic

October is fresh-faced April beautifully aged to w

October is fresh-faced April beautifully aged to wisdom. ~Terri Guillemets
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#macro_moms #flowersandmacro #tv_flowers #ethereal_moods #still_life_nature #transfer_visions #tv_allnature #tv_closeup #jj_justnature #moody_tones #raw_allnature #moodforfloral #moodyflorals #inspirenaturenow #charming_nature_ #ihavethisthingwithflowers #nb_nature_brilliance

I’m starting off my week with a little dahlia lo

I’m starting off my week with a little dahlia love. 🌸

These are all new dahlias that I bought earlier this year since the big arctic blast killed all the tubers that I had left to over-winter in the ground. I had high hopes for lots and lots of big, showy blooms, but like everything else in my yard this year, they have struggled to really take off.

I was doing some garden cleanup up over the weekend, and even though it was a bummer not to have the bounty of dahlia blooms that I have had in previous years, I was feeling really grateful to have had any blooms at all. Somehow they managed to make it through both a nasty mole infestation and our late-summer drought.

Maybe my dahlias didn’t thrive this year, but at least they survived. And that is something to celebrate and be grateful for.

It seems to me that life is a lot like this too. How some years we thrive and flourish and bloom wildly, while other years it feels like a struggle just to survive. I know I have experienced both, and I’m guessing you have too.

Sometimes I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit for hanging in there and holding on during the hard seasons of life. I’m wondering what it would look like if we celebrated surviving much as we did thriving. Because I truly believe there are blessing to be found in both seasons.
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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 #kaigarden2021

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