Tag Archives: cynthia wagstaff

Baja Savories

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My friend Cynthia Wagstaff, who lives in San Juanico, BCS, is an amazingly creative chef. She knows exactly how to mix unusual things together that add to their individual and collective flavors. She sent me this recipe today, and with her permission, I’m sharing. One of the ingredients, Chef Jimmys Mojo Verde (he’s a great surfer and equally great friend) can be sourced on his website : www.chefjimmy.com.

Orange Mojo Salad

Orange Mojo Salad

Ensalada del Sol
Muddle a tsp of Chef Jimmys Mojo Verde in olive oil with a garlic clove, a tiny bit of serrano, cilantro, and sea salt.

Pour over orange slices with chopped olives – any type.  Add jicama slivers, avocado, and red onion slices.

Serve on red leaf or arugula – even shredded kale.

Makes a great dinner party salad!

Great Baja Girlfriends!

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Cynthia & Catharine

Figures that I’d meet friends for the ‘rest of my life’ in sleepy towns south of the border. On a surfing safari to San Juanico, a beautiful blonde approached me at pizza dinner, claiming that for sure she knew me.  I was taken aback, but she was so emphatic – almost as sure as I was that I’d never met her before in my life!

After a few go-rounds of questions, we figured out that she had been the neighbor of my sister, Claudia, in Sun Valley, Idaho … and since my sister and I look very much alike, the mystery was solved.

Cynthia Wagstaff, as I’d come to know her, lives for most of the year in San Juanico. She is a talented painter, writer (her blog : baja luna) , gardener, designer and explorer of life.  Which barely touches on the fact that she is an incredible chef!  She has the ability to create a gourmet meal out of whatever happens to be in the icebox or the cupboard – and no matter who drops by, she finds a way to create a feast that leaves everyone raving – and wanting more!

Cynthia’s ‘mom’ to Pancho & Chica – two adorable rescue dogs – who dote on her as she dotes on them.  Ball play and stick chase .. long beach walks and adventures.  While not a surfer, Cynthia’s an avid swimmer, snorkeler, butt boarder and stand-up-paddler.

You can find her easily cruising the cliff tops and beaches in her bright yellow Volkswagen or her streamlined Subaru.  She’s the one with the sparkling eyes and the big broad smile.

friends, friends, friends ….

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…. so i’m not in mex .. and it’s always weird .. buds are spread all over this summer … cynthia’s been in idaho putting fine touches on the best kitchens .. george has been trying to catch up to both daughter’s weddings … carol was here to help me pack up stuff .. alexander was up .. val was in alaska with husband, barry .. on pam and kent’s boat chasing BIG fish ..  jeanne was north for a bit .. then in SJ with Mark .. he and i played in the surf ..  mikey’s left for brazil (lucky dog) .. martin is building a new palapa in todos santos ..  norm is spending the summer in bandon and SUP’ing his heart out ..   dennis has been in/out .. hopefully catching some waves  … james has been passing on real estate info .. and the world keeps spinning …

Yes .. It WAS a birthday party!

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Happy Birthday Catharine!

Where better place to have a birthday party than one that you love and cherish?  The chatter began the last trip south, and the decision was simple – San Juanico!  Cynthia said – yes – I’ll cook – We’ll have a party!  And so the plans began.

Martin drove up from Todos Santos.  Drake drove down from Oregon.  Pat drove from Montana.  George arrived from Santa Inez.  Saw Dennis the night before.  The rest of the crew was already in place – one way or another.  To all participants .. Thank you!  It was a GRAND TIME!

[more photos to come later][[gotta go surf!]]

San Juanico Dreaming

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perfect wave

Dropping down the face of a perfect wave

Swells hit the points in the sleepy Mexican village – at least that’s what my girlfriend, Cynthia emails to me.  My  mind drifts to turquoise waters and waves that wrap around the points across the open bays.  Some of my most fun surfing – ever- happens here.  For the most part, everyone in the water is friendly, no one is too agro about sharing waves, and the energies of the sea, the sky and the desert all come together to make surfing bliss.

When I’m stuck in the states, my heart wanders… to the waves, the friends that are shared.

Last trip I met the “La Ventana” Group .. Irene & Ron, Norm, Kento & Jeff .. all who camped above second point and spent their hours on the water on their SUPs – Stand Up Paddle Boards.  The boards are a new addition to the SJ waters – and not loved by all.  What they can do is surf during the tides that are not conducive to normal surf.  Waves that are too slow .. or don’t ever really get around to breaking.

As with all journeys, there were high points and low points.  Good times at John Fields house ..of Juan & Juan .. I’ve never met the other Juan, but John and his wife, Carol are the sweetest folks.  He started with a garage, expanded it to several, and it makes up his ‘play box’. With a prime location overlooking the surf, parties at John’s house are always fun.  He cooks a mean hamburger – but watch out for his margaritas – or so I’ve been told.

Donn Stein – who had first loaned me a surfboard a year ago and sent me down my re-surfing passage – was already in town with his girlfriend and her daughter when I arrived.  Ran into them at Pizza Friday – and then again in the water.  Donn always wears a big smile.

Spent some time in the water with Dennis Choate.  Fun to surf with him both north and south of the border.  Still waiting for that promised surfboard 🙂

The waves came up .. the waves went down.  George Granger had been in town with his to-be-inlaws – his daughter is marrying a sweetheart, and when the party-goers left, George stayed to surf for a few days.  I gave him a ride back to Loreto and the airport.  It was a nice chance to get to know him better.  He spent a lot of time in Laguna when he was growing up – and we were able to share stories about old times, old houses, and old surf 🙂

Now .. three weeks later, I’m jonesing for some SJ surf.  Coming up!  I’ve got a trip planned for the end of the month  … Going to celebrate my birthday -and with good luck, the wave gods will be with us, and all the folks who said they’d show up will actually make it down and over.

Yep .. San Juanico dreaming ……………