minding my nest

practicing the art of an ordinary life

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my new favorite burlap wreath

my new favorite burlap wreath

as if i haven’t gone on enough about it,  i have really come to love this late-summer/early-fall season…a special season

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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

The week ahead. Normally this time of year I woul The week ahead.

Normally this time of year I would be sharing something about the holidays. Like the story behind a new ornament or craft project. Or how I am saying yes to adding more twinkle lights somewhere around the house. 

But today I wanted to share a real life update with you. Back in October, my mom’s regular mammogram revealed that her breast cancer had returned. She had a lumpectomy and radiation in 2016, and since then, she has not had any issues. For this reoccurrence they have recommended a mastectomy which is scheduled for tomorrow, December 5th.

There is no indication that her cancer has spread to her lymph nodes or any other part of her body. After the surgery, her team will decide what, if any, post-op treatment will be necessary. During this entire process, my mom has received excellent care - something for which I am incredibly grateful. 

On top of my mom’s other serious health issues, this has been really hard on her. But she is also incredibly strong and resilient. I know that she and my dad and the rest of my family would appreciate your prayers for her surgery, recovery, and healing.

As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share my stories and my very real and imperfect life with you. ❤️
Hello December. 🎄 I got a late start, but this Hello December. 🎄

I got a late start, but this week I was finally able to get my @decemberdaily album set up. I chose one of the transparencies as a simple title page that I embellished with some sequins and beads to give it a little sparkle.

Next I created a page inspired by @morganbeal and her awesome lesson the Product Play class. I don’t think I’ve done an introduction page like this before, but I love the idea of starting off my album like this. As an empty-nester, my daughter and son-in-law don’t appear in a lot of my pages, so seeing them here gives me all the warm fuzzies since they are foremost in my heart and the source of so much joy.

This year I didn’t do a ‘reason why’ per se. Instead I was inspired by @katecbowler and @jesstrichie and their book “”The Lives We Actually Have” to write a blessing for the month ahead which I tucked into one of the envelopes. I have shared more about that on my blog which you can find via the link in my profile.

Finally I created a shaker pocket divider for the stories that will fill my album. Beyond that I haven’t done much else, but have some notes and ideas written down.

On the inside cover, I added a little tag that says “celebrating every little moment of wonder & magic & joy this holiday season.” Because it is my belief that even when life feels hard and heavy, there is still joy to be found. 
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#craftthestory #decemberdaily #aedecemberdaily #aedecemberdaily2023 #kaidecemberdaily
I’ve never been one to fight the crowds and shop I’ve never been one to fight the crowds and shop on Black Friday. Instead I prefer to stay at home in my cozy clothes and put up our Christmas Tree.

Tripp and I dragged the two huge canvas bags up from the basement containing the tree sections, and then he set the sections in place. As always, breathing a sigh of relief when all the lights came on.

Sidenote: This is year four of our “ten year investment” in this tree according to Tripp who is keeping track on a tag that we keep in the same bag as the branchfluffinggloves™. 

Anyway, while Tripp was watching the OU football game, I decorated the tree. It's a process that is a little like taking a trip down memory lane, and one that aways leaves me feeling a little wistful and weepy. And also incredibly grateful.

Every so often, Tripp would come upstairs and check in with my progress. After I finished he took a look around at all the ornaments that represent our 31 years of Christmases together. Then he brought me in for a giant hug and I said, “we’ve done something really special here.” He replied, “yes, we have.”

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#twinklelightsforever #merryandbright #transfer_visions #tv_living #tv_retro #moody_tones #moodmagic #flashesofdelight #allthingsofbeauty_ #kaieverydaymagic
The week in pictures. A full week and a full hea The week in pictures. 

A full week and a full heart. So grateful for the spectacular beauty of Autumn. So grateful for a day to gather around the table with my people. So grateful for every tiny moment of joy. 
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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
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