Even if just for  moment, wouldn’t it be so lovely to think about gathering all the people you care about and who have made an impact in your life to gather in one room? Funny how some things seem so far attainable, but yet it happens every day. This blog, for instance, and many of your blogs and websites are gathering places for exactly that.

This is why we made our Life Recipe Video for New Year last year. You’re all part of the most important recipe of our lives.

Without you all, we’d be lonely. We really would and it’s not a statement that we take lightly. And we thank you, deeply, for being here.

All the memorable moments that make our 2012 list were the little things.

A little puppy came into our life and is now not so little anymore.

Todd received his black belt in Aikido and Elise came down to join us for the special event.

Diane turned 40 years old and finally got her first slow cooker. In fact, she now owns three slow cookers.

We didn’t lose any fruit trees to disease this year and our new citrus are going strong.

Our little project of hoarding garden recipes & photographs is becoming a cookbook. Ok, maybe it’s not so little, it’s huge for us.

Throughout the whole year of staying busy traveling and photographing for clients, blogging has kept us grounded and remind ourselves to take time to write and cook the things we love. It’s this little blog that keeps us happy and true to our hearts.

Amidst the different projects, styles and art direction we have to think about when we work with clients, this blog is what allows us to be just who we are and make things that reflect our voice and stories.

When presenting the morning keynote at BlogHer Pro a few weeks ago, we talked about always remembering who you are. In the big world of blogging and content creating and social media and all the craziness, it’s so easy to lose touch with what it is that truly makes you— uniquely you. Sometimes it’s easy to lose track of why we started blogging in the first place and get wrapped up in all the other things that blogging can bring.

Regardless of how much you blog professionally, for a business, or for money, don’t ever forget who you are and why you started.

We asked the audience to answer the question: Who are you? Why are you doing this thing, called blogging? Answers can range across the board and it’s ok.  It’s perfectly all right to be sad, frustrated, happy, successful and defeated. Just be prepared to make the best of the experience, pull yourself out of bad times and/or continue to rise with the good times.

Who are you? Share yourself in your comments.

Todd- I am a quiet observer, a listener. These traits when reflected in my personality lend to the impression of being gentle or kind. And usually I am, however underneath burns intense flames and which pushes me to be become better at anything I do and also drives me to be an intense protector of those I love.

Diane- I am a lover, a fighter and a dreamer. Being a lover reminds me to be kind. Being a fighter reminds me to always be strong. Being a dreamer reminds me to never let go of hope.

Here’s the new video we made for the keynote presentation- ” i am”

Thank you to you all for being you and helping us to live this life. Wishing you all a warm 2013, a year full of continued health, love, family and friendship.

Live proudly. And Appreciate. With Honor.

love always,

diane, todd, sierra and lexi

Don’t forget to laugh, be silly and enjoy yourself at yourself to the max! Be you. 

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