Soft and pretty....

At a wedding I got to photograph recently, everything just struck me as so soft and pretty.
The weather that day was perfect.
The lighting was amazing.
(none of these are sized for the blog and tend to look pixelated here.)



The bride: lovely and soft and pretty.


The church was beautiful... a little white chapel with amazing windows and wooden pews.



Weddings make me cry happy. Every.Single.Time.




There was so much love and trust between this glowing bride and her groom.
I was completely honored that they found me, asked me to be their photographer, and let me be a part of their beautiful day.

I'm still working on editing the last of the photo sessions from Fall families, and now we're in the peak of Christmas jewelry orders.
It's going to be a bumpy and wild few weeks around here, I think!

Fun weekend...

We headed off to Springfield Missouri for the holiday weekend.
We ate too much turkey, pie, and mashed potatoes but loved every minute of it.

My sister and I went out shopping at Midnight Thursday night / Friday morning.
We went to Battlefield mall and oh.mah.gosh... What a madhouse!
There were people everywhere. And free donuts, which was nice.
I was on my phone (I'm no longer Amish, people!!! Can I get an amen?!) tweeting pictures while we were shopping.
And my BFF's Candace Cameron Bure and Mandy Young were doing the same.
Candace in California, Mandy in Georgia, and me in Missouri.
It was a really fun night.

Also over the weekend, we went to Silver Dollar City.
It's so beautiful at Christmas! They put up over 4 million lights!!






And we went to Bass Pro Shops. They do a Christmas Wonderland play area for kids.


I spent too much money, ate too many calories, and don't regret a bit of it.

How was your weekend? What did you do for Thanksgiving? Do you go out with the crazies on Black Friday or stay home?

Remember to check out our Cyber Monday sale... It expires tonight!

Cyber Monday!! {and Christmas giving}

I hope you've had a fun weekend! We sure have.

We have a stellar Cyber Monday sale this year... and it starts right now.

Use code MONDAY to take 15% off your entire purchase.
AND any purchase of $60 or more will receive a free Christmas ornament!! That's a $20 value!
Just mention it when you check out... Right under the shipping address on paypal is a spot for notes - That's where you'll tell us you'd like the ornament and what you'd like it to say!
{it must be included in your order to qualify. Emails sent after the order is complete cannot qualify for the ornament.} Expires Monday night at 11:59pm.

On a different note, we're giving 10% of all sales in Dec to Salvation Army to help Joplin families. We're so blessed to be able to give a bit to families who've lost nearly everything this year.

Happy day to you, my lovelies.

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday...

First of all... Happy Thanksgiving!!
I truly hope you've had a warm and happy day filled with too much food, and plenty of love and warmth.

Second...
Here is a new necklace design. It's extremely limited and once they're gone, they won't be back.
Christmas Believe necklace



Third... Beginning right now is our Black Friday sale. (expires Friday night at 11:59)
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off everything in our entire shop!

Fourth... Saturday is "Small Business Saturday." I'd like to strongly encourage you to support small businesses on this day. Whether it's online, in your hometown, down on Main street, or wherever. Our economy needs a push, you'll be supporting small business owners, and you'll probably get a more unique product than any big box store can offer.

Fifth... Stay tuned for our Cyber Monday deals!

Hugs and kisses to you... You warm my heart. Truly.
Thank you for sharing this part of my life and caring the way you guys do.
Happy Thanksgiving to you.

(p.s. No Fingerprint Friday this week!!)

Country Living... (and a winner)

Country living is awesome because there is plenty of room for a Basset Hound to run and play.
But she'd still rather be right in my face.


Country living is awesome because we have critters and deer run through our yard.


Country living is awesome because there are mountains of leaves to be gathered into red wagons.


Country living is awesome because when my baby Sully comes running toward me carrying something I say, "Oh Sully! You got a big stick!" ... and then he gets closer and I realize it's not a stick at all, it's a spine.


I'm sorry you had to see that. Sort of.
I'm sorry I had to see it.


Are you a city girl or country girl?
p.s. The winner of the recent giveaway is Lisa. Congratulations! Please email therustedchaininfo AT yahoo.com to claim your prize.

The weekend...

was nice. Full of relaxing and girly stuff.
Sometimes it's so fun to be a girl!
I went to a jewelry party hosted by a friend.
The jewelry was from Plane Janes, who participate in the Barn Sale.


They also have candles and wreaths and other cute things.




Oh yeah... there were peanut butter brownies too.


Then I went and visited my friend's new store... It's super cute!





Then I napped.
And made tons of jewelry.
And napped.
And ignored calories.
And drank egg nog.

It was really good.
What did you do over the weekend?

Pretty people...

It seemed to take a long time for our trees to turn pretty this year.
But they finally did just recently and everything has been so pretty!
So it was fun to plop pretty people in our pretty yard and take pretty pictures of them.
I didn't know the D family before the photo shoot and I think those are my favorite kind... just word of mouth from other clients, or people who've found me through my blog or facebook page.

When they showed up they were all so nice!! And so... pretty!






Such a classic boy... He couldn't wait to get on this log across the creek.


Prettttttty.


Pretty pretty pretty.


We're very busy with jewelry orders right now, but if you're local and we have a pretty day with pretty weather and you want pretty pictures of your pretty people, let me know...

Pretty things make me pretty happy.

p.s. I've been asked a lot about hosting another photography workshop. So I'm going to! It'll be in January. And it'll be free.
We'll just cover some photography basics, learn about ISO and aperture, and learn how to shoot in Manual!

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants!
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please only sign in if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week!
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His mercies are new every morning. And when I look out my office window and see a sunrise like this, I can't help but be humbled and thankful.

Sparkly and Bright

It may be a bit premature, but I have Christmas on the brain.
Big time.
We've been playing Christmas music since November 1 in our little jewelry studio.
While I am very excited for Thanksgiving next week, we don't really do Thanksgiving decorations so I keep thinking about Christmas decorations.
I don't have mine up yet, so you don't have to get all bothered and bunched up about that.

But I photographed a wedding recently that had some gorgeous Christmas decor up and I loved this idea so I wanted to show you.



It was a sideboard table or buffet type piece of furniture, with a mirror back.
On it, there were lots of rows of white lights.
Over the white lights was several layers of glittery tulle.
And then vintage crystal candlesticks with ornaments turned upside down on them.

It was so sparkly and beautiful!


Such an easy little thing to do, but wow did it make a big impact in the room!

Talk to me: Do you have Christmas decor up yet? Are you thinking of any yet? Or are you annoyed with people like me who get excited for Christmas before Thanksgiving?

Love it. {Buxom}

I'm telling you lately about a few products I love.
And one that I use daily... even if I'm in my yoga pants... can't live without... is
Buxom Lip gloss by Bare Escentuals, the company that makes Bare Minerals.

Love this stuff.


I grabbed the first 3 out of my purse to snap a photo.
But here's the truth... I probably have 8 or 9 more swimming in the bottom of my purse.

It's silky not sticky. It's slightly tingly. It's minty and vanilla-y at the same time. It's sheer. It's not goopy. It layers beautifully over other colors. It's affordable. And it lasts.

It's my favorite lipgloss ever.

Ever. Ever. Ever.

It would be a great gift to a girlfriend, gift to yourself, or stocking stuffer.

*Bare Minerals didn't pay me or sponsor this post in any way. I just love their products.

Do you have a favorite lip product?

Life's too short... {giveaway}

to hold a grudge.
to eat bad chocolate.
to not be doing what you love.
to give up on your dreams.
to not spend time with God daily.
to not savor every moment.
to not give to others.



Life is just too short to waste days being selfish, grumpy, or unhappy.
If you're annoyed with your kids or spouse, let it go.
If you've given in and are at a job you can't stand, consider making a bold move.
God didn't design us to be fearful or negative. He wants us to have abundant joy!

I know it's not much, but I want to share a little bit of joy with you.
One of you will win a $50 gift certificate to TheRustedChain.com.

Just leave a comment telling one thing you're happy about today.
Facebook it, tweet it, pin it, or blog it for additional entries.
Please leave comments for each of these you do.
We'll pull a random winner in a week or so.

Happy Monday to you!

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants!
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please only sign in if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week!
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Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
— 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

This verse made me laugh today... In the middle of the night one our dogs wanted to go out. So I let him out. Then heard crazy barking. Then smelled a foul fragrance... of skunk.
Not exactly the pleasant fragrance of the knowledge of God.
I kind of just want to take a nap in the sunshine, laying in the leaves, smelling a nice fragrance, not a skunky one.

Love it. {Krafty Kash}

I frequently get asked to review or promote products on my blog.
And it's always weird. I want to. But I always worry about how it will be perceived.
I don't want it to seem fake and forced.

Between now and Christmas I'm going to be telling you about some products I love, that just might make good gifts... not because I have to, but just because I want to!

The first one is Krafty Kash.
Kashoan is a Midwestern lady who makes cute things, and has a family full of people whose first names start with K. Kool, huh? (Ha.)

A while back I purchased a necklace from her just because it was calling my name.
It's made from a vintage dictionary page, and she can find just about any word you'd like!


I love that it's long at 24". I wear it layered with my own stamped jewelry, or a string of fun colorful beads.


I added the pearl myself. Just because I love them. And it goes so well with the vintage brass color of the necklace.


You could pick a word that's meaningful to you, a scripture, or even your state!

You can also enter code rustedchain for 20% off! Click here to shop.

Which one would you get?

*KraftyKash did not pay me or sponsor this post in any way.

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

This came from a Pillsbury Bake Off Cookie Book from 1967.
We use this recipe all the time, particularly in Fall and Winter.


It turns out perfect cookies every single time.
Not too thick, not too thin. Not too crunchy, not too squishy. Just soft enough.


Here's the deal. The original recipe is for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
And as much as I looooove me some chocolate, these are easily transformed into a lovely Fall flavor by switching out the chips for Craisins, and adding cinnamon.

So we make 'em both ways. And they're wonderful both ways.


Perfect Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup Craisins (or to taste)
1 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients except oats and Craisins. Mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Shape into balls (we use a little ice cream scoop) and drop onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool.

**Frequently I don't have shortening so we replace it with butter and they still work fine.
**You can also add 1 cup nuts (chopped almonds or walnuts) if you'd like.
**It's not necessary to have a superhero helping you in the kitchen, but it does make cooking baking more enjoyable.



Let me know if you try them!

That's just weird.

What a weird weekend.

- By Friday night I was desperate for alone time. I crave it sometimes. I was at my wit's end. I just wanted to go shop at Hobby Lobby for hours or anything to empty my brain. Alone.
For some reason my family likes me. And they wanted to be with me. A lot. So they took me to dinner.
After dinner, it was too late to go to the city, so I pleaded with them for just some time to go browse the walmarts. Alone. They agreed.
I took a seperate car, let out a big sigh of relief, and headed to the only place around that's open at 9:30pm. The WalMarts.
And wouldn't you know, as I was shopping alone brainlessly, I heard voices I recognized.
My own people. The Man, The Girl, The Boy, and The Baby. *sigh*
They decided they needed to take a trip there too. And they hung out with me on my "mommy needs to be alone time."
Weird.

- Right before I went to The WalMarts, I swung into McDonald's for a coffee. I don't know why. I try their coffee about once ever 6 months, and always cringe from the strange funk, and swear I'm never drinking it again.
But I thought it would be a relaxing thing in my alone time, to have a hot coffee in my hands.
And you know what? It was good. Really good. Later I mentioned it to The Man and he said he'd heard that McD's changed their coffee.
So I suddenly like McDonald's coffee.
Weird!

- The Baby sprouted a mustache. An impressive gray one, at that.
Weird.


- We had an earthquake Saturday night. Actually it was in Oklahoma, but we felt it here.
And actually I didn't feel it at all. Even though I was sitting in the same room as The Man, and he felt it.
He goes, "What was that?! And why is the chandelier swinging??" I looked up and sure enough, that thing was swinging like crazy!
But I hadn't felt anything. Probably my only chance to feel an earthquake in my lifetime and I missed it.
Weird.
- My house is clean. (mostly...) Weird.

- I got an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning. Then got up for a bit and decided I needed a nap. And slept for 3 more hours. Weird.

- "I before E, except after C." Weird.

How was your weekend? (hopefully not weird.)

Photos, Christmas, a winner, and stuff...

I'm about done with photo sessions for the year.
I think.
Today I'm shooting a wedding.
Tomorrow I'm shooting a couple.

And then that's it for photos this year. Probably.
Here are a few I've done recently.
(none of them are resized for the blog so they tend to look pixelated here.)

This family drove all the way from Oklahoma just to have me do their photos. Wow!



This one makes me laugh.


This was the "D" family and they were so nice!!
These were the best behaved kids I've ever seen. Polite, funny, sweet...



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The winner of the recent giveaway is Vanessa. Congrats Vanessa!! Please email therustedchaininfo AT yahoo to claim your prize.

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The other day Lilo walked right up to a the backside of a skunk and got sprayed.
So instead of smelling like a stinky basset hound, she smells like a stinky skunky basset hound.

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I know it's barely November. I get it. I hear ya. I'm a huge fan of Thanksgiving.
But for those of you who are on the ball and already preparing for Christmas, we have our new ornament out!

Each year our ornaments have been a huge hit. This year we went a totally different route and did a very rustic design.


And look at the cute ribbons you can pick from!


Click here to shop.

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Sometimes I think I'm crazy. I tend to take on too much.
And when I get flustered and start whining about it, The Man always just says, "Sounds like life to me."
I know.

I'm thinking a relaxing day or weekend sounds reeeeeeally good right about now.
Maybe in January I'll get one.

If you could get away for the weekend to relax, where would you go? What would you do?