Category: Fun

Sippie's in Mexico

1/15/2013

The gluten free bakery is not totally closed while I escape Austin's cedar fever this year. You should still be able to find gluten free blueberry muffins, oatmeal-raisin and chocolate chip cookies provided by my right-hand man, Spice Bakerman.
Additionally, Misty Morning Bakery is well represented at Cenote as well. Their gluten-free breads are especially delicious and are available as a gluten-free option for every sandwich from Cenote's kitchen.
I wish I could say that I really miss Austin right now, but ... well, that would be a lie. Guanajuato has never been more beautiful, especially this year with temps in the high 70s in the day and down to low 40s at night. Perfect weather here (so sorry if it sounds like I'm rubbing it in!), but we all need a little 'vacaciones' now and then. Hasta febrero!

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Tomato-Cage Christmas

12/24/2012

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Christmas has rolled around, snuck up on me, and in the spirit of non-consumerism I refuse to buy a dying tree no matter how festive it is. Plenty of years I've been there, done that and am left feeling a bit guilty at the end of the day. At left is my tomato cage tree, wrapped first in chicken wire, then in lights, and draped with a lot of homemade decorations collected and made over a lotta lotta years. (Okay, so it's a little hard to appreciate in a photo, but I assure you that it looks perfect at night with the lights on.)

End of year update: This seems a good time to update anyone interested on the progress, or lack thereof, of the garden at Cenote. If you've ventured over to have a look, all you'll see is a bunch of dirt and leaves in the four raised beds, not a leafy green to be found. Though we planted our garden at home on the very same day as Cenote's gardens with the very same seed and were eating fresh lettuce out of it about four weeks later, Cenote's plants never got bigger than sprouts! The difference? SOIL! I will not name the vendor who supplied the soil but suffice it to say, the soil was not what it was cracked up to be. Not even close since it actually contained the word "compost" in the name of the mix. Sadly, this was not compost. We've resigned ourselves to the fact that for this season, we are building soil only, providing it with coffee grounds and cardboard (carbon and nitrogen) in the hope of creating true compost in which to plant when February (next planting time) rolls around.

Finally, at the end of each year I try to stop and make note of the things that I tend to take for granted. Gratitude time: I am so so so grateful for all the new young friends I've made at Cenote this year. Here I am in the autumn of my years (early autumn I hope), and I'm surrounded by all these incredible young souls. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to get to know them all this year. Best present ever.

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Congrats on Chronicle win!

11/12/2012

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Shannon and Alton, all smiles!

Congratulations to Cenote for winning the Austin Chronicle's Best New Coffee Shop category for 2012! Needless to say, it came as no surprise to me since I'm up there all the time and see just how incredibly special this place is. From Chino's handmade kitchen delights with daily specials made with local garden produce - to the historic building saved from the developers' wrecking ball and renovated into the most unique and beautiful shop anywhere to be found (they received an award for historical renovation) - to the absolutely incredible staff, all of whom I have come to adore very much.... Cenote is truly a very special place.
And speaking of staff, a few special people are pictured here. Some were experts in all things coffee already, having served up coffee in Austin for several years before Cenote was a twinkle in Cody's and Mary's eyes -- I'm thinking specifically of Shannon here who is pictured above with Alton Jenkins, Cenote drummer-in-residence who takes and delivers your order with the best smile on the planet.
But even the veteran Shannon (who makes Cenote's home-made chai - and it's soooooo good!) admitted to me that she truly enjoys the ongoing barista education offered by Cenote in conjunction with local roaster Cuvee, purveyor of fair trade and organic coffees purchased often IN PERSON from the farmers themselves throughout Central and South America. (Cenote took home the Statesman poll award for 'best coffee' just three months after it opened, so I think that pretty well says it all about Cuvee's attention to good coffee.)

Zac Collier whipping up a latte.

    And then there are others behind the counter like Zac Collier pictured at right who took the barista training and became barista extraordinaire before he even turned 21! (He makes a killer 'Australian Americano'!) Zac is also famous for being one of the only ones who can figure out the very unique ratio of carbon dioxide to brew when setting up and maintaining the iced-coffee-on-tap, which as far as I know is completely unique to Cenote at this point in time. (omgoodness, it is THE BEST thing on a hot Austin summer day!)

     Many more people to mention here, and I'll get around to posting more of their photos soon. Needless to say, they're all very special folks. I love these people!!

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little ways to build community

6/21/2012

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The Daily Good has a story today about learning how to love where you live by making some changes in normal neighborhood layout and activity. As I read, I noticed that most of them are about building community - even "serving" your community - more than loving where you live (though they certainly do go hand in hand). This is something that can't happen soon enough as far as I'm concerned, so I share with you some of those ideas here

* Plant a vegetable garden in your FRONT yard, and put a picnic table smack dab in the middle. The idea is that passers-by will stop to snack, help harvest, or dream up a potluck with the bounty
* If your backyard neighbor is a friend and is willing, take down the back fence and share your backyards - or make a shared backyard retreat in one corner surrounded by plants and comfy chairs - or at the very least create a little walking path from door to door so you can borrow a cup of sugar more easily (this opens up a whole street to you!)
* Build a register of neighborhood tools and equipment (such as lawnmowers, clippers, hammers, saws) that neighbors are willing to share. Operate it as a library so you'll be able to keep track of who has what checked out at any given time so the next person who needs something will know where to go look.
* my favorite: Somewhere near the street, place a little covered/waterproof box on a pole at eye level (i.e. something like an extra mailbox) for a book and magazine exchange. When someone walks by, they can take one, leave one at will. Great way to share books you love or magazines that might be of interest to someone else before they're recycled.

Of course these ideas will only work if your neighbors are kind and like-minded enough not to sneer at you for even proposing such things. I do think there are plenty of places that are ripe for this. I'd love to hear from anybody that has other ideas OR anybody who is already doing some of these. Let me know.

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Fried Green T'maters

6/10/2012

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Besides being the title of one of my favorite movies of all time, fried green tomatoes are also my favorite early summer treat. It's not too hot here yet (though it probably will be by next week) for our garden tomatoes to set fruit. Here in central Texas, they stop setting fruit when the overnight temps routinely top 70 degrees. Knowing that, you just have to go raid the garden and get a few while they're green, fry 'em up and whoooof 'em down.   Gluten-free of course:
   For batter, I use about 1/2 cup of the flour mix on the gluten-free baking page and then add about 1/2 cup of sorghum flour, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Drop 'em in hot olive oil (coconut oil is technically healthier, but I love these in olive oil) for ~4-5 minutes each side, drain on paper towel and eat 'em up. A good dip is 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/8 cup plain yogurt, tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp ketchup, salt to taste. (You'll have to double or triple it up if you;re cooking up a LOT of t'maters. YUM.
   What makes 'em even better is the fact they're homegrown. Just ask Guy Clark shown here in an early (1983) Austin City Limits Songwriters' Circle. Classic. (If you look close you'll see John Prine on stage with him - definitely worth a view!)

There's nothin' in the world that I like better
than bacon, lettuce and home grown tomatoes
Up in the morning and out in the garden
Pick you a ripe one, don't get a hard 'un
Plant 'em in the springtime eat 'em in the summer
All winter without 'em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' and the diggin'
Every time I go out and pick me a big'un

From Home Grown Tomatoes by Guy Clark

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Sippin' at Cenote

4/4/2012

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Sippin' on the porch at Cenote
Cenote is proving to be the ultimate place to hang with old friends. Journalist and Border Energy consultant Soll Sussman along with mutual friend and long-time Austin therapist Patricia Hubbard hung out on the porch with me at Cenote on Tuesday to catch up a little bit on both of their latest ventures. Having known (and loved) them both for more years than I can remember (Armadillo World Headquarters was the place to be back in the early days of our friendship), it was such a pleasure to introduce them to Sippie's gluten-free goodies and learn the WHOLE story of Sippie Wallace from Patricia -- who is a walking encyclopedia of the blues!

As a supporter of Cenote long before its opening, Soll got a special tour from owner Nick while Patricia and I talked a bit about "color" - the new therapeutic tool in her counseling practice. Turns out Cenote's seafoam green interior is one of the most calming colors in the spectrum. No wonder it feels so good to sit in there.

Can't wait to sit down with them both again very soon!
(photo of the macaroon by Soll)

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So who is Sippie anyway?

3/28/2012

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More than one person has asked me why I use the name Sippie. Well, I may be taking a few liberties, but I figure that using the name will give me the opportunity to answer that question by introducing people to Sippie Wallace, one of the earliest (and best!) Black female blues singers in the U.S. Having started singing in church around 1917, Sippie Wallace was still singing well into her 80s (even after a stroke) when she toured with Bonnie Raitt. Bonnie's single "Women be Wise" had been a big hit for Sippie, and Bonnie helped secure her a record contract in the 1970s. Sippie Wallace was one of a kind... Love her! Take a listen:

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Cenote is Open!

3/27/2012

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March 25, 2012 at 8 a.m.
Cenote Cafe is open! It has been such a long process dealing with the City, but for the owners it is now finally and definitely worth it! Turning an old house (built in 1887) that hadn't been touched in about 35 years into a work of art was a labor of love, and there are many many people who made it possible.
There's a slide show here.

Owner Mary (at right) was so busy that first morning I barely got her to stand still for a photo. She's done a fantastic job of putting together the menu, selecting local vendors, picking out the proper kitchen equipment and serving pieces, ordering supplies and produce, and figuring out how to display everything.

Owner Cody never did stand still that first day at all, but I did get him to pose with Erica (friend, barista, and aspiring actress - she's great by the way) the following morning ...

Cody dealt with the contractors, engineers, designers, City of Austin Planning Commission, City Council, and inspectors ad nauseum -- the full list of city officials who made opening a small business in the City of Austin a far greater challenge than it should ever have to be. And he had his hands dirty in the reconstruction process the whole time. But he persevered for two full years! He and Mary both deserve a medal.

Cody and Mary told me that they'd like to write a book of their experiences to help other small businesses wade through the process, explaining (among other things) how the rules were changed on them mid-stream so many times that they lost count. Designs that were approved and built were then ordered to be changed as new ordinances were proposed. Suffice it to say, they're happy to help others just starting out.

The incredible Michelle (at right) designed the interior and executed the entire interior space at Cenote. From overseeing the tables and chairs, paint colors, designing the layout and flow of the serving area to the execution of the incredible mural, she is one of a kind. All this with a smile, too.

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St. Paddy's Day poem (by me)

3/17/2012

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One thing I've discoovered in me little life
Is that tall, handsome lads doon't need 'em a wife
'cause there's gerls hangin' on 'em and gerls hangin' aft
a flirtin' and singin' and makin' 'em laugh,
Rubbin' dem poor handsome feet in de evenin'
Gigglin' and blushin' -- a wee bit o' teasin'.

Nooow these handsome young lads, thar the envy of all,
All the OOLD Irish men, plain and not tall
who took 'demselves home the ferst beauty who smiled
wit' clear Irish eyes that left 'em beguiled.

"Oooo if I'd ooonly stee'd single," says the old Irish man,
"these gerls o' today, theey'd be kissin' me hand."
"Hmmpf!" says de wife, "Ya got blarney for brains
and noo shamrock to ward off yer age or yer pains.
Sure n' be-goren, ya doon't want dat life --
You'd wake some far mornin' allooone wit' no wife!"

So he nods and he gooes back to drinkin' his ale,
His thoughts off a wanderin' who knoows where the hell...

Noo meself, I don't envy the handsome young lad --
nope ... it's 'dem gerls who be with 'im I envy instead!

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Sippie's in Mexico

Tomato-Cage Christmas

Congrats on Chronicle win!

little ways to build community

Fried Green T'maters

Sippin' at Cenote

So who is Sippie anyway?

Cenote is Open!

St. Paddy's Day poem (by me)

Sippie's Blog

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