Andrew and Beth: MARRIED!

Memorial Day was certainly a day to remember for Andrew and Beth. Family, friends, and a beautiful venue at the Cotillion in Independence made their ceremony completely unforgettable. Andrew is in the Navy and got just enough leave to get back into town for the wedding/honeymoon. After that, Andrew will head right back out to sea to serve our country. I can't help but be so thankful to both Andrew for serving and Beth for sharing her husband with the rest of us. I was honored to be a part of this selfless and beautiful couple's big day.

Jacob and Lauren: ENGAGED!

This love crossed band sections! Lauren played the trumpet, and Jacob played the sax, but that didn't keep them apart. These two became great friends in high school marching band, traveled the country together on tour, and played in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! All of this was before their first date! True love came after a long friendship...what a great foundation they've got for spending the rest of their lives together! Congrats, Jacob and Lauren! You're great people, and I can't wait for your wedding!

Pat and Amanda: ENGAGED!

Who knew that pool could lead to true love? Pat and Amanda met playing pool in the same league and hit it off right away. The rest, as they say, is history. Pat and Amanda's love for each other shines through in their conversation, so it was very easy to enjoy trekking around the gloriously eroded recesses of Kansas City's West Bottoms district with them.

This couple is headed to Ireland for their honeymoon, so we had to make sure to hit the J.O.B. Theatre which brings a little bit of celtic wonder to the midwest. Can't wait for this amazing wedding in March! With Pat and Amanda's strong love anchoring the day, it's sure to be a blast!

Kassi and Aaron: Cowboy Love Story

You know, it's not very often that I get to photograph a good old-fashioned cowboy love story. This was my first, and I hope it's not my last. Kassi and Aaron are a match made in cowboy heaven. Aaron is a true-to-life, horse wrangling, bull riding, rope throwing cowboy. Kassi is a farm girl with a love for horses, goats and just about anything else with four legs. When she saw Aaron, it was love at first sight! Don't believe me? Let Kassi put it in her own words:

Aaron came to our house with his brother to trim a horse. When he got out of the truck I about fell over... I had never seen someone with such pretty eyes and smile. I tried to hide behind him so he wouldn't see I was blushing but he kept turning around and smiling. A week later I saw him again and met his family and knew then I wanted to marry him! God was so good in sending Aaron to me!

Kassi approached her wedding day with a calm grace that I have rarely seen. She was neither frazzled nor excitable, but acted as a calming influence to those around her. The details of her day were a reflection of her and Aaron and paid honor to their parents and grandparents in some very special ways.

The ceremony was beautiful! Aaron rode away with his new bride on a horse-drawn carriage...into the sunset. Such a magical start for this special couple to begin writing their happily ever after!

Cinnamon Rhubarb Muffins

Ingredients:
2 cups self rising flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 cup milk
3.8 Tablespoons oil
2 cups rhubarb (finely chopped)
raw sugar
cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift flour, add sugar, rhubarb, egg, milk and oil, mix until combined. Spay muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray and use an ice cream scoop to fill. Mix a little raw sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Special thanks for this recipe to Lesley's Recipe Archive!

Now Taking 2013 Rep Applications

Would you like to get a FREE senior portrait session? Would you like to get INSANE discounts on the hottest new senior portrait prints and products? Are you outgoing and ready to make some magic in front of the camera? If you answered YES to these questions then YOU need to apply to be a Class of 2013 Senior Rep for Dan Moore Designs!

What is a DMD Senior Rep?

A Senior Rep is someone that is willing to represent Dan Moore Designs to all their friends.  I've got some great swag to help you show off your portraiture awesomeness.  My plan is that once your friends see what I do – they'll run to me for their pictures.  No more than one student from each high school in the KC Metro will be selected so get your app in NOW. I am looking for FIVE GUYS and FIVE GIRLS.

What do you get?

1. One absolutely AWESOME and absolutely FREE photo session. The session will last about 2 hours and can be just about wherever you would like it to be.

2. A disc with all the images from your session in web format. These images will each have the DMD stamp to help you promote your favorite photographer! These are perfect for Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace.

3. One 20 page brag book to show off the very best poses from your session with DMD.

4. 25 rep cards in a shiny metallic case. These are the cards you will pass out to your friends. They will have YOUR picture on them and my contact info so other seniors can book sessions too!

What happens when someone books a session with your rep card?

When someone books and pays for his or her senior session with DMD and presents your rep card, both you and your friend will receive any ONE of the following items from DMD...FREE!

-One digital image in high resolution with permission to print at the lab of your choice  OR

-16 high quality wallets in a single pose in the finish of your choice  OR

-1 8x10 high quality print in a single pose in the finish of your choice  OR

-2 5x7s high quality prints in a single pose in the finish of your choice.

What's the deal with all this free stuff?

Word of mouth is the best marketing plan! All you have to do is show off your pictures. If another senior seems interested, you give them one of your rep cards! You don't have to discuss pricing, packages or any of that stuff.

What's the fine print?

1. You must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

2. You and your parent/legal guardian must sign a model release form for your pictures to be used in DMD advertising.

3. You have to cross your heart and promise to represent DMD ONLY! You can't represent DMD and another studio! This is an exclusive gig!

What do you do to sign up?

Just click HERE to complete the application! Don't forget to have your parents email me TWO pictures of you (with your name in the body of the email). This is REQUIRED for consideration! Deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 27. Senior Reps will be announced on May 1, 2012. Sessions must be completed by Sunday, July 1, 2012.

NEW Custom Wallet Boxes from DMD

DMD is very pleased to offer these one of a kind custom made wallet boxes! Each box can be loaded with 50 die-cut wallet portraits. These boxes are handmade and wrapped in textured satin.These amazing heirloom boxes are 3.25 x 4 inches and have a magnetic latch for keeping your pictures safe. The exterior can be customized to fit your unique personality!

These amazing works of art and 24 wallets are now included in each Premium Senior Session. Book yours today!

Spools Up!

I saw this little idea over at sewmanyways.blogspot.com and had to try it. It was a process, but I couldn't be more pleased with the results! With a little help from my favorite photographer's table saw, I was able to get all my cuts made and assemble the cutest way to store my thread! UP and out of the way!

Beef Manicotti

Beef Manicotti done right!

When the classics are done right, they can't be beat! Tonight we enjoyed a delicious meal from our freezer swap. Michal's Beef Manicotti were exceptional! The noodles were perfectly al dente, and the creamy salty ricotta and beef filling was smooth and flavorful. Served with garlic bread and a salad, it was a meal fit for a king! Thanks, Michal! This one was a winner for sure!

Katelynn's Story

     Today is Kate's 11th birthday. We had a great day! After school Michelle took Katelynn shopping, and then the whole family went to Kate's favorite restaurant for dinner. I couldn't help remembering her birthday 8 years ago.
     Each of our children is a precious gift from God no matter what the joys and trials He allows into their lives. Katelynn is no different. Eight years ago today she was recovering from surgery to remove a large malignant tumor that was sitting on her retina (retinoblastoma). Retinoblastoma is universally fatal if not treated in a timely manner by a pediatric ophthalmologist in collaboration with a pediatric oncologist who specializes in this disease. The tumor was found to be dangerously close to the optic nerve, so the best option was complete removal of the eye (enucleation). The weeks and months following the surgery were challenging to say the least, but we are thankful for God's healing. We love this little girl, but we know that God's love for her completely dwarfs our human capacity for love!
     Katelynn has since been fitted on three different occasions for prosthetic eyes. The last time, we were able to go visit the Jahrling Institute for Ocular Prostheses in Boston, MA. Our church raised money and paid for the trip. God has blessed us with this little girl!
     This video is just a collection of clips and memories from our battle with retinoblastoma. To learn more about this cancer and the importance of dilated pupil eye exams for infants and children under the age of 5, visit http://www.instituteforfamilies.org/aboutrb.html.

Honey Garlic Chicken with Basil

Tonight is our Freezer Meal Swap. This is the second time I have done this with a group of good friends. Last time the meals were amazing, so I hope to be able to blog about each of the meals as we enjoy them. Tonight, we enjoyed the meal that I am contributing to the swap: Honey Garlic Chicken with Basil. It was sweet and salty with just a touch of garlicky zing.

Honey Garlic Chicken with Basil:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
1 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
2 teaspoons minced garlic

Place chicken into crockpot. Combine last five ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on low heat for three to four hours (a little longer if chicken is frozen). We enjoyed our chicken with steamed broccoli, rice pilaf, and biscuits. YUM!

Ribbons on a Rod

Rolls of ribbon wrapped 'round a rod

This was probably one of the easiest fixes I've ever done. I saw it done somewhere else and thought, "Where has this idea been all my life?" A few simple tension rods under the stairway and I was able to store all my ribbons in an out-of-the-way but accessible spot. Sorting them by color even adds visual appeal! I use stick pins to keep the ribbon in place. When I need a bit of ribbon, I just roll a section off and cut it! Easy as pie!

Photos for Katie

Photos for Katie
picture by Apples of Gold

On February 15th, four-year-old Katie Kuehl went to the doctor after she suddenly developed marked swelling on her upper left quadrant. After an ultrasound and blood work Katie was diagnosed with cancer. The next day (2/16) she had a cantaloupe-sized tumor and one of her kidneys removed. The pathology report showed that Katie has Wilm's stage 2. She will be undergoing 25 weeks of chemo. Her family lives in Michigan where her father just started pastoring a church. Photos For Katie is about helping this young family with their mounting medical bills. Dan Moore Designs is proud to be one of many photographers all around the country chipping in to help out! Click on the image to visit Photos for Katie and learn how YOU can help!

Emily, Senior

Emily shined at Kauffman Legacy Park for her senior portrait session.

I have to say that Kauffman Legacy Garden is beautiful at any time of the year, but it was a bit surreal to walk around the Kansas City tourist site in the middle of February with temperatures in the mid 60s! It was perfect weather for a late photo shoot and Emily was ready! The afternoon light was warm and wonderful! While Emily's mom crocheted in the botanical greenhouse, we walked the garden and got some great pictures. Emily even brought her flute...the music fit perfectly in the serene setting!

Emily's expert flute skills filled Kauffman Legacy Park with light and breezy tones.  

S'Mores in a Blanket

S'Mores in a Blanket make an easy dessert! And the kiddos can help!

Tonight, we had an easy and fun dessert! Simple crescent rolls are rolled up according to the package directions, but include chocolate chips and mini-marshmallows! Bake as you would normally and enjoy the  gooey goodness!