About Us
Diana and I have been happily married for over thirty years,
and together we've spent over three decades in the restaurant hospitality
business. Twenty
one years
ago
we bought
our
own
place where we got to have the
time of our life.
A short history.
As newlyweds and young restaurateurs we spent most of our vacations
and free time dining out and researching cuisines from around the world.
From 1982 to about 1996 we'd go to Europe just about every other year.
Diana always had her camera, and once in a while she'd let me use it
too. We
framed and filled the restaurant with our photos and at one time I counted
over 200 in everything from 4 x 6 to 16 x 20. Later we began going other
places like Australia and New Zealand. So you'll see many
pictures from the places
we've
been.
But since then,
our
focus
has changed and we find ourselves spending most all our free
time
in
wide
open country
chasing
and photographing
anything
and
everything that moves. I sort of feel as though I'm returning to my
childhood, for my passion growing up was biology and the study of living
things. As you'll see in The Raven
Diaries section, years back we took care of a wounded crow, and then
shortly after we
raised a baby raven that was successfully returned to the wild. These
encounters
helped to rekindle our love for nature and The Raven Diaries was born
to encourage others to get involved also.
What we're not.
We think you'll enjoy using our photos but understand we are not professional
photographers and we don't sell them. Although some of our products will
be available for sale from outside sources (books, DVD's etc.) we don't
charge for
any
of the
pictures, movies or stories that are available on
our
sites. So use the photos as if you took them yourself. Just remember,
any people in the photo (rare), and the law says you need a model release.
A similar regulation can apply to photos with recognizable buildings,
landmarks, trademarks etc. We will also have a few special pages where
you will need to get copyright releases
for
any public display
and we will be supply the copyright holder's name and contact info
for you. But for the most part, all our photos are usable for personal,
non-professional
purposes. Make calanders, cards, use them on your personal web sites,
and because most are large JPEG's, you can even use them for large photos
and posters. All our photos are pretty much untouched, just the way the
camera took them. That way there's
no overwriting
on
them
and
you
are
free to
change
and
play with them just about any way you want!
What we are.
We are a grassroots, on fire for life couple, looking for creative ways
to give back to our community!
Why a member fee?
We charge
a small member fee for two reasons;
1. To make a modest living and cover our minimal web and
upkeep costs.
2. Everything over and above will go into our "Partnership
Giving" program. We believe we all have a responsibility to help those
in need and to take care of what we have. After much research I found
a great deal of the
money
given
to many organizations goes to running the organization and sometimes
only a small percentage goes to the need. I'm involved in great group
of givers where we have about 60 to 70 organizations we are working with
where almost all goes specifically to the need. These organizations do
everything from providing food, shelter, clothing, free wheelchairs,
medical supplies,
small business
loans and
so much
more to both 3rd world
people in
need and those right in our own backyard. You'll also find many pictures
taken in National, State, County and Ctiy parks. Our
goal in that department is to put ourselves in the position to be able
to partner with
the heads of specific parks
and
wildlife
reserves
to
help meet specific
needs inside those areas. That way all the money we give will
go to that specific project
and nothing
else.
It's our future, and through Just Good Fun & In His Image we call it
"Partnership Giving". Through our Raven Diaries site we call it "Earth
Stewardship."
Don't get me wrong, we are not a Non-Profit!
Understand we are a for profit business, we pay all taxes and licences
and run this as a business. We are not looking for a handout, a gift
or anything
else. So your membership fee is not a tax deduction. We provide services
for payment. But we think many would like to know the manner in which
we choose to spend our profits is to serve a greater good and as time
goes on we'll let you know exactly how and where our monies are going.
Your membership includes the ability to participate in 4 unique
web sites;
blacksheepcookingclub.com - Let's start with fun with
food & wine. My goal is to show you how to cook! In 2006, we started
shooting every dish we serve at our restaurant, The Black Sheep Bistro
in Tustin California, and using that as a starting point we have hundreds
of "phantom chef" videos where you see exactly how a dish is
put together from start to finish. It's not a show, there's little to
no eye contact and stupid jokes, it's a from my eyes view of exactly
how a dish is put together. It shows the close ups of the products not
me. It's how I learned to cook, by actually watching every step of the
way as they were doing it. I think it's the best way for most to learn
how to cook. We have 2 DVD's already available in retailers and at Amazon.com; "The
Black Sheep Bistro's Video Cookbook Vol 1" and "How
To Party Like a Black Sheep" with more due out in 2011.
Now for part 2 of our cooking series we will be offering a vast array
of cooking styles, secrets, sources and more on the blacksheepcookingclub.com
web site all shot at our home and at other restaurants we like to visit.
We will be sharing our 35+ years of professional restaurant experience
in simple downloadable videos, PDF books and pictures.
justgoodfun.net - Our catch all that will include other
hobbies and fun; surfing with old style wood boards and how to make them
by hand, collecting sea glass and making jewelry from it, fencing (with
swords) and more. Eventually I hope to get Diana involved with a number
of her skills!
inhisimage.us.com - Here's an area where my wife
really shines. When I first met Diana, even before we were married, I
was impressed
with
her skills
with a camera. On this site you will have at your fingertip thousands
of photographs free for the using. Travel, nature, animals, flowers and
so much more. One of my favorite sections is her "Beach Art" department
where she
has
let the ocean waves make thousands of unique designs with the natural
shells, sea weed, and rocks found there.
theravendiaries.com - Our love for all things living
portrayed through the relationships and lives of ravens and all the
different kinds of animals he shares his area
with.
If you like what you see, please join us and tell others.
Together maybe we can make a difference.
Thank you,
Rick and Diana Boufford