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A MODEL LIFE

IRMA CARDONA

THE WRITTEN WORLD OF CARMEN GRAY

Love Almost

Lost Mark and Barbara Wangrin

Texas Mutual Insurance Company isn’t just the state’s leading workers’ compensation provider—we’re a part of the communities in which we serve. As we protect Texas businesses and strengthen the local economy, we’re also dedicated to uplifting our neighborhoods. Inspired by the local people, flora and fauna, the mural, “Taking Flight,” is our gift to the Mueller community as a vibrant symbol of our connection to and celebration of what makes Mueller so special.

Visit texasmutual.com/mural to learn more.

Your Neighbor, Your Realtor, Your Advocate

As a real estate professional and proud resident of the Mueller neighborhood, I love being a part of this vibrant, close-knit community. With its mix of modern homes, green spaces, and walkable amenities, Mueller truly offers something special. Living here gives me an inside perspective on the area’s unique market and lifestyle, which I use to help clients make informed and confident decisions. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious about the neighborhood, I’m always happy to share my expertise and enthusiasm for this amazing place we call home.

Soud Twal

GLOBAL REAL ESTATE ADVISOR

512.787.8617

soud.twal@sothebysrealty.com soudtwal.com

A Month for the Heart

Well, we are in it now. Not only does the calendar say it’s winter, but we have been up close and personal with some frigid weather. I, for one, do not mind this weather. Coming from the Northeast, this actually feels kind of tame, and I do appreciate being able to feel the change in seasons.

Even though February often brings on the winter blues, it is actually a special month in its own right. Most notably, February is identified as American Heart Month by the American Heart Association to help raise awareness for heart disease prevention and education.

Our very own neighbors Mark and Barbara Wangrin know all too well how important it is to be prepared in case of a cardiac episode. They share their

personal story in the hopes of helping others.

And we feature an article sharing background from the heart association explaining how to recognize a heart attack and mitigate risks so you might never experience a cardiac emergency.

We also share a heartwarming story about Irma Cardona, a Mueller resident whose life and career as a model was recently honored at the Overture community. The residents there put together an in-house fashion show that rivals those on professional runways!

Someone close to our hearts at Mueller magazine is our very own Carmen Gray. An integral part of our monthly publication, she is an accomplished and very busy teacher, author, writer and yoga instructor. This month, we celebrate Carmen and all she does for people around her and for the magazine!

Of course, it wouldn’t be February without Valentines’ Day. In Meet Me at the Market, we highlight chocolate at Hijita Chocolatería.

And for the first time, we introduce a new column from recently relocated Mueller resident Alix Newton. She is a food content creator who will share simple recipes to make at home. This month, she creates Love Note Cookies that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

I hope this issue helps to soften the chill of winter. Enjoy this season while we have it.

Summer’s brutal temps will be here before we know it, and you will be longing for some colder days!

Liz Reingold Publisher

Editor & Publisher

Liz Reingold

Contributing Writers

Carmen Gray

Alix Newton

Jacquie Shillis

Sarah Welch

Photographer

Margarita Garcia Acevedo

Marketing Coordinator

Alexandra Garcia

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Art Director

Rosemary O›Connell

Executive Editor

Richard Laliberte

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Mueller magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Mueller, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARGARITA GARCIA ACEVEDO

WHAT’S NEW

In the Neighborhood KEEPING AUSTIN

PLAYFUL!

Summer break just got a whole lot more fun! At Thinkery, campers lead their own adventures, where learning happens through play. Camps run from June 2 through August 15 with new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math)-based themes each week!

Registration opens January 27 and Thinkery members get a special discount. Visit https://thinkeryaustin.org/camp to grab your camper’s spot today!

POKE FOR THE PEOPLE

Family-owned Austin restaurant Poke House has opened its fourth local location right here in Mueller. Specializing in freshly made poke at affordable prices, Poke House is known for delicious, high-quality bowls. 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd., #1410.

EVENTS AT LAZARUS BREWING COMPANY

Monday, Feb. 3

Casita Comedy, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Free; standup comedy

Tuesday, Feb. 4

Book Club, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

$1 off beer for all who attend. Book: “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett

Saturday, Feb. 8

Storytime with Kester, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Movie Night with We Luv Video, 7 p.m. or shortly after sundown Movie: “Warm Bodies.” Free monthly movie nights feature fan favorites for each season, with complimentary popcorn and $1 movie candy.

Bridging Worlds With Chocolate

Hijita Chocolatería offers a modern take on an ancient elixir, linking regions and cultures one cup at a time.

BY CARMEN GRAY

Chocolate. It can be sweet, bitter, dark or flavored. You can eat it, drink it or bake with it. On Sundays, at the Texas Farmers’ Market in Mueller, you can try several different takes on this ancient treat.

Did you know that chocolate has a 3,500year history that begins in Mesoamerica? Even earlier, cacao beans were being fermented and turned into drinks by the Olmec and the Maya, who mixed it with vanilla and spices to create a beverage taken during important religious and social ceremonies.

Ashley Andrée Ugarte understands this inherently, as she created Hijita Chocolatería as a celebration of her Mexican roots and a bridge between generations, traditions and cultures.

Ugarte is the daughter of a Mexicanimmigrant mother, and she values her Mexican American identity. “It is a story of duality—one that is both deeply rooted in ancestral traditions and shaped by modern experiences,” she says. “For us, chocolate is like a family heirloom: sacred, cherished and meant to be passed down.”

Hijita means “little daughter” in English, and the business’ name honors cacao’s sacred place in Mexican culture. Ugarte says they source heirloom, single-origin cacao and botanicals directly from farmers in Mexico while also embracing select ingredients here in Texas.

This intentional and thoughtful sourcing highlights the duality of Hijita’s identity, connecting the land, flavors and stories of both Mexico and the United States.

“More than just chocolate, our work is guided by a commitment to sustainability and reciprocity,” Ugarte adds. “We partner with farmers who practice agroforestry and biodynamic farming—techniques that preserve the land, honor traditional knowledge and uplift the communities that nurture cacao.”

A Magical Beverage

Modern Mexicans, like their Aztec ancestors, still cherish chocolate. The most popular method of making it involves melting cocoa tablets blended with sugar and cinnamon into hot water or milk, then vigorously whisking the mixture with a handcrafted wooden tool called a molinillo, which creates a frothy layer.

According to Mexican folklore, the spirit of this magical beverage resides in its foam, and one sip of Mexican chocolate made like this might have you believing this.

My personal favorite of this type of drink from Hijita Chocolatería is the Cardamomo, which is a delicious blend of unfermented cacao (60 percent), cardamom, vanilla bean and piloncillo. However, the Original Drinking Chocolate tablet brought back memories for me of my own Grandmother

Gutierrez’s hot chocolate.

Hijita’s signature blend of single-origin unfermented cacao, cinnamon, vanilla bean and piloncillo is delicious. Ugarte worked tirelessly and extensively to create this particular recipe, which pays homage to her mother and family. “This is our hero product,” she adds—“what started it all for Hijita!”

Enthusiastic Customers

You can also find Hijita products at the Bell Texas Farmers’ Market in Cedar Park on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Comadre Panadería (1204 Cedar Ave.) in East Austin.

Ugarte says that the stall at the Mueller market, where Hijita began selling in August 2024, “is an incredible place for Hijita. We serve people from all over Austin—and even from around the country—who seek out the Mueller

Farmers’ Market. It really is a wonderful destination for locals and tourists. It feels like a growing community, and I feel very lucky to be part of it!”

Hijita began officially in Austin in November 2022. Clearly, its proprietors are dedicated to creating an amazing product that people from all walks of life enjoy.

The stall in Mueller was buzzing with customers who were adorned with smiles while enjoying and sampling the products available on the Sunday that I had the opportunity to try them out. They are a reflection of heritage and innovation, a blending of old and new and of Mexico and the United States—bridging worlds, one cup at a time.

published author and freelance writer, and contributing editor for Latino Magazine.

Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a dual-language teacher, a

Ashley Andrée Ugarte obtains ingredients from select farmers in Mexico along with sources in Texas to create chocolate that celebrates her Mexican heritage and the important role that cacao has played in Mesoamerican cultures for thousands of years.

From the Heart

Mark Wangrin seemed healthier than most—until the day he collapsed and his wife, Barbara, helped save his life.

February is known as the month of the heart. It is, of course, the month of Valentine’s Day; it is also the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Month. Traditionally, the AHA celebrates the month with the color red and an all-out push to raise awareness about heart health and preventive care.

To honor Heart Health Month, we talked with Mark and Barbara Wangrin, Mueller residents who have lived through a sudden cardiac episode and come out the other side. They hope to raise awareness by sharing their experience.

Always an active and physically fit couple, Mark and Barbara shared a love of exercising with a healthy dose of competition to go with it.

Their competitive natures led them to join Orangetheory, where you wear a heart monitor and strive to keep your heart rate within a specific range. Mark in particular regularly pushed himself to the

limit, always trying to put up the best numbers possible. Although he had blood pressure issues as well as a slight tremor, he seemed in relatively good health for a man in his 60s. He was even a marathon runner.

Fast-forward to a fateful day in 2021. Mark decided to stop taking his blood pressure medication for a few days in an attempt to get his heart rate into the zone he was looking for while working out. Looking back, maybe not the best choice—but a choice he made.

The couple ventured out early that day to Orangetheory in the Triangle and—as

is common for many couples—had a squabble about something insignificant on the way.

Since they were a little annoyed with each other, Mark jumped on the treadmill and Barbara went off to do her own thing.

At first, everything seemed normal. But it soon became clear that things were far from normal.

An Unpleasant Surprise

Mark’s heart rate jumped up quickly as he exercised, and he began to stagger. That was the last thing he remembered before he collapsed.

Mark and Barbara Wangrin with their two children (from left), Makala and Ben.

THE HEART FACTS

To learn more about CPR training and preparedness from the American Heart Association, visit www.heart.org. The AHA site also provides information on common cardiovascular conditions and steps you can take to reduce your risks.

Barbara, who is a health care professional, was on the weight floor and heard a call for help to treadmill 1. She knew that was the treadmill Mark was on. By the time she rushed there, he was already turning blue. His heart had stopped.

She immediately began administering CPR. A doctor who was there jumped in to help, and the fitness manager grabbed the defibrillator. All three worked on Mark until paramedics arrived. The paramedics took over lifesaving measures. Mark had been down for 45 minutes by the time they stabilized him enough to transport. No one knew what would come next.

The Wangrins’ dog, Bo, was a source of comfort for Mark during his recovery. Since Bo couldn’t go to the hospital, the family brought Mark “faux Bo”—a stuffed dachshund that could stand in until Mark went home.

When they arrived at the hospital, Mark’s organs were shutting down and clinicians had to pack him in cooling blankets to keep him alive. Doctors were not hopeful and thought it was a miracle that he had held on this long. Mark remained in a coma for nine days—including his 61st birthday. Barbara stayed by his side advocating on his behalf. She continually spoke to him, brought pictures of the family and played music by his favorite artist, Bruce Springsteen. She often played the song “Surprise, Surprise” because of the lyrics. Among them:

Well, surprise, surprise, surprise Yea, surprise, surprise, surprise Well surprise, surprise C’mon open your eyes And let your love shine down

Barbara realized medication that Mark received could be among the reasons he was still in a coma. She advocated to take him off the medication. When doctors did so, he finally woke up.

“I remember opening my eyes, and my first word was a certain four-letter expletive that begins with ‘f,’” Mark says. “I just shouted it because I was so out of it, but it wasn’t like you see in movies

where people wake up and say, ‘Where am I? What happened?’ I knew exactly what had happened.”

Regaining Strength

Remarkably, after several more days recovering in the hospital, Mark was sent home with an internal defibrillator and a new lease on life.

The next six weeks were spent recovering and rehabilitating, slowly regaining his strength and mobility. Recovery was rough. All his ribs had been broken from the CPR, and his shoulder had been torn when they implanted the internal defibrillator. Sleeping was difficult. But he was alive, and that was nothing short of a miracle.

“Anyone can learn CPR and prepare for an event like this to happen, but no one ever prepares you for what happens next,” Barbara says. “Every episode is different; every patient is different; and every path to recovery is different. You have to be present, be vigilant and advocate on behalf of your loved one. It takes an emotional and physical toll on everyone.”

Mark and Barbara are very open about the ordeal and want to spread as much awareness as possible to help others.

Mark realizes that his skipping his

medication could have contributed to the episode. He is also aware that he is alive today because of the quick action of his wife and the others around him who knew what to do.

“It is so important to be trained in CPR and other lifesaving measures,” he says. “What would I have done if my wife had collapsed? Would I have known what to do? Would I have freaked out or would I have been able to help?”

Thankfully, Mark has made a remarkable recovery. He does have some residual effects of the episode, including some brain fog, fatigue

and an increased tremor, but he feels incredibly lucky and grateful. He recognizes that without the action of others, he would likely not be here today. As soon as he was physically able, he became CPRcertified himself.

Mark and Barbara both stress the importance of CPR training and being aware of your surroundings. If you are in an office or other public space, look around and identify if and where a defibrillator is located nearby in case of emergency. Be prepared and be aware: It could be a matter of life and death.

A Model Life

Irma Cardona has spent most of her career helping others—often drawing on experience in the fashion world.

BY JACQUIE SHILLIS

Overture Mueller resident Irma Cardona is no stranger to the fashion runway, but her path to an exciting and rewarding modeling career was far from a straight line.

Born Irma Lelis Rosa in San Juan, Puerto Rico, young Irma today would be described as a beautiful nerd. She excelled academically, graduated high school early and dreamed of becoming a doctor until her tradition-minded father nixed that plan.

Irma’s aunt intervened. The aunt had been denied the opportunity to attend college herself and did not want to see that injustice repeated in the next generation.

Convinced by his older sister, Irma’s father relented, and Irma enrolled in education classes at the University of Puerto Rico. During her senior year, a professor noticed how striking she was—tall, fit, beautiful, elegantly dressed—and asked which school of modeling she belonged to.

When Irma said she did not model, the professor referred her to the Barbizon School in San Juan, part of a New York-based model training

business. Filing that information away, Irma finished her degree and taught second grade for two years. Then she shifted gears, pursuing a master’s degree in social work on a Fulbright scholarship.

The summer after her first year in graduate school, Irma picked up the modeling thread and enrolled in the Barbizon School.

Principled Beauty

The people of Puerto Rico proudly refer to themselves as Boricuas, from Borinquen, the indigenous name for the island. Irma was one of few female Afro-Boricuas to complete Barbizon’s two-month modeling course and achieve success in the field.

At the annual in-house modeling competition, she won the premier award: Miss High Fashion. The audience was packed with fashion designers who were scouting models, including Luis Fuentes, a Cuban-born designer. Irma became his favorite model. She loved his designs, so when Fuentes gave her the choice of getting paid for the modeling work or keeping the dress, she always chose the dress.

Using her middle name Lelis (LAYlease) as her professional identity, Irma modeled part-time during her second year of graduate school. The Barbizon School connected her to two high-end department

stores, where she was one of the few AfroBoricua models. She also did hand and neck modeling for print publications.

After earning her master’s degree, Irma took a position as a social worker at a San Juan high school where almost all the students came from low-income families.

When she arrived for her first day of work, she discovered that her image had preceded her. Both the principal and students said, “Miss Rosa, we saw you in the newspaper!”

Irma continued modeling on evenings and weekends, exciting and delighting her students, who vicariously shared her celebrity. She got glimpses into the life of the rich, powerful and famous.

At one fashion show, Irma came to the attention of Walter Mercado, the flamboyant host of a TV variety show. At the height of its popularity, the show reached 120 million people across the Americas. Irma appeared regularly and prominently on this show, modeling the latest fashions and joining other beautiful women to create elegant backdrops. She also appeared on two other popular TV variety shows.

Irma eventually arrived at a turning point. Ever conscious of her responsibility to her students and her own moral standards, she turned down a request to model lingerie.

“I can’t do that,” she said. “I’m a school counselor!” She was also growing tired of redirecting and rejecting the attention of men wanting to take advantage of her, “putting them in their place” as she puts it. Then came the last straw—Luis Fuentes asked Irma to model his designs in Paris. Her father objected strongly, suggesting that only women of disrepute went to Paris. Those experiences, combined with a decision to move out of her parents’ house, marked the end of her modeling career.

Irma arranged to visit an older halfbrother in New York City in 1976 and simply stayed. She found a position as a social worker and met Cesar Cardona. They married, raised two children and had fulfilling careers, she as a social worker, he as an attorney.

A Social Boost

Irma lost contact with everyone from her modeling days. Tragically, many of the designers and models who had shared the runway with her died during the 1980s AIDS epidemic. But she and Cesar preserved one lasting connection: They gave their son the middle name Yamil, honoring a modeling colleague who died of AIDS.

Irma and Cesar moved to Texas in 2023. Every October, as news about fashion week in New York and France hits the media,

Left: Irma married Cesar Cardona in the 1970s. They raised two children and moved to Texas in 2023. Right: Irma at age 31 in Puerto Rico with one of her children, son Yamil.

Irma feels an emotional tug from a world she once inhabited.

This year, she proposed a fashion show to her Overture community. Twenty residents—planners, models and helpers— coalesced into a team, the logistics were addressed and, on November 7, the event “Celebrating Irma with Style” drew a crowd of more than 100 residents and guests.

Eleven models, all Overture residents— pulling clothing from their own and other

residents’ closets—strutted the runway wearing everything from evening gowns to cowgirl chic, Luis Fuentes original designs, Indian sarees, playful pantsuits, a handmade quilt-blocked skirt, a one-of-a-kind South African jacket and a vintage sleeveless shirtwaist dress from the ’60s.

Bouncy Puerto Rican music played as the MC, herself one of the models, described each person’s attire. The audience cheered for the models and listened intently to a

short history of Irma’s modeling career, jumping to their feet when Irma rolled down the runway in an exquisite pink evening gown to end the show.

Ever the social worker, Irma had proposed the fashion show to raise residents’ self-esteem, but it was her own that got a boost.

“I feel privileged and blessed to have worked with these people and will remember this day forever,” she said after the show. Residents loved it as well, evidenced by a variety of comments: “It was so much fun!” “It brought the community together.” “Best event ever at Overture!”

As anyone who sees Irma these days quickly realizes, she brings energy and joy into the room, despite the toll that ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neuromuscular disease) has taken on her health.

She says her biggest challenge has been losing her ability to speak. In this case, she definitely found her voice and her friends heard her. The fashion show was just what she—and the rest of us—needed.

Jacquie Shillis and her husband moved to Overture Mueller in April 2024. She is retired from a career in Texas state government, but she still loves a good project.

Residents of Overture took part in a fun and affirming fashion show organized by former model and current neighbor Irma Cardona (second from right).

Connecting Through Writing

By penning prose, Carmen Gray has processed life’s challenges but also helped inspire others and build community.

BY SARAH WELCH

Carmen Gray, contributing writer for Mueller magazine, has been a published author since she was in third grade, when she won a writing contest at her library and had a fantasy story published in Children’s Digest. She relates this history at First Light Books on a rainy afternoon in December as we sit down to delve into her remarkable story.

Despite her preteen breakout, Gray’s passion for writing became an integral part of her life in the summer of 2014, when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. “It was a really difficult time, and my writing was how I processed the whole journey,” she says.

Gray’s daughter made a full recovery, and

Carmen Gray (right) meets with her literary agent, Maria Whelan, at Bryant Park Cafe in New York City in June 2023 after signing a contract with Inkwell Management.

through the process, Gray saw that her writing could do more than just help her get through the hard times.

“I ended up helping people whose own children had health issues or who were going through similar struggles in their own families,” she says. Seeing the impact she could have on others, Gray continued writing for pleasure, posting her work on a public blog.

Having built on her third-grade publication success with a disciplined

writing habit and a dedication for building her skills, Gray was ready when a friend called in 2016 asking her to recommend Texas authors who could contribute to a horror anthology he was creating. “Me!” she said, and soon she added another credit to her publishing résumé: a short story called “Daniel’s Dilemma.”

A poem, nine short stories and countless articles (in Mueller magazine and Latino Magazine) later—plus one novel seeking publication and another in progress—Gray

Gray’s work has allowed her to inteview many writers and build community in writing circles, both of which have helped build her own knowledge and skill.

has learned a lot about what it really means to be an author.

Getting into the Flow

“I don’t think I could have done this when my kids were little,” Gray says. “I did do a lot of different hustles when they were little, but they didn’t involve that much constant brainpower. Writing is different. It’s a lot more commitment.”

Even as an empty nester, Gray weaves her writing around a jam-packed calendar. She is a bilingual teacher, a yoga instructor at two different studios in Austin and a private tutor helping students from ages six to 25 in algebra, Spanish and writing—all without the help of coffee. “Oh, no, just herbal tea for me,” she laughs.

So how does she do it? “I just don’t waste my time,” she says, laughing. “People don’t realize how much time they have, right? As an experienced teacher, I already know how to plan my classroom. I don’t have to stay after school and do all these things. So when my day ends at 3:30, I have time between then and dinner time to sit down and write a couple scenes, or even a chapter. If I already have my ideas, and I’ve already outlined everything, it just flows.”

She says this like it’s easy, and I get the feeling a lot of things seem easy for Gray— she gives off a confident “I’ve got this” vibe.

But it’s also clear from talking to her that this ability to just make the writing “flow”

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS

First and foremost, “Don’t quit your day job,” says Carmen Gray. “I hate to say that, but it’s the truth. And every author I’ve talked to has said the same thing. Writing is an outlet, and maybe it will become a career, but don’t expect it to be that right away.”

Of course, that’s not to say it’s not worth doing. “If you really love the process, if writing is important to you and you feel compelled, you’ll do it,” she says. “You should do it. And something may happen from it, and something may not, but you keep going.”

Gray also emphasizes the importance of having a community. (In fact, one of her beta readers is a neighbor here in Mueller.) “I would say it’s really important to meet other people on the journey that are writers, because they’re all different,” she says. “Everyone’s story is different, and you can learn from other people and their stories.”

Above all, Gray says, “Just keep enjoying the ride.”

comes from a lot of hard work. For one, she’s self-taught.

“I very much have to be in it and have my hands in it to learn it, and I’ve always been that way,” she says. This was true when she was making and selling jewelry on South Congress, and it’s still true now with her writing.

She’s had the opportunity to interview some incredibly successful writers for Latino Magazine—Katie Gutierrez, Zoraida Córdova and Silvia Moreno-Garcia, for starters—and she’s used every interview as an opportunity to learn more not only for readers but also for herself, about both the craft and the business of writing.

“Writing queries is different than writing a novel,” she says. “Writing a novel is different than writing a short story. I learned that hands on, and I’m a hands-on type of learner. I can hear things and watch things, but that’s not the way I learn.”

The World of Words

One of the most valuable lessons she’s learned? If you’re going to be a writer, you have to be resilient, because it doesn’t always happen for every author or every book. In fact, achieving the success that so many authors dream about is like catching lighting in a bottle.

“You’re going to get rejected a lot,” she says. “Most people don’t get an easy landing, right? So, you must toughen your skin.”

That was hard for Gray at first, because

she’s a self-diagnosed perfectionist, but eventually she learned how to separate her personal value from the feedback she got on her writing.

“You’re putting a piece of yourself out there and getting judged on it,” she says. “And so, there’s a part of you that just has to go, ‘eff it.’ Everyone’s got a personal opinion on everything, and you’re not going to please everybody.”

So what keeps Gray going as a writer when things get tough? “Everything I write about I have to have a lot of love and passion for,” she says. It’s this passion—and her dedication to teaching in some way with everything she writes—that keeps her motivated.

Whether she’s using her Mueller magazine platform to spotlight local businesses and connect “new Austin” to “old Austin,” sharing about Latine culture in Latino Magazine, or writing poetry and fiction, she is passionate about connecting with her communities and sharing stories that will impact her readers in a profound way.

Mueller magazine readers already know how impactful Gray’s writing is. To read more of her work, visit www. muellermagazine.com.

Sarah Welch is an editor and writing coach living in the JJ Seabrook neighborhood. Her writing community, The Inkwell (www.inkdroplit.com), helps authors build fulfilling writing practices in busy everyday lives.

Gray’s writing life sometimes overlaps with her work as a teacher (opposite page, bottom), including moments such as (above left) meeting with a fellow teacher she mentors and (above right) with a student who showed up at one of Gray’s book-signing events.

Sweetheart Treats

A baking blogger and photographer explains how to make the perfect goodies for a special someone.

BY ALIX NEWTON

EDITOR’S NOTE:

At Mueller magazine, we’re always tapping residents of our extraordinary neighborhood to offer insights on our community or share their special talents. Alix Newton comes to us from the United Kingdom with a passion for baking and sharing her creations and methods with a wide-ranging audience. We asked Newton to bestow her newfound community with recipes that, in the case of this month’s, speak to the heart as well as the palate. You’ll periodically see more from Newton in Mueller magazine during the months ahead. Here, Newton offers a few words about herself—and a Valentine’s Day recipe sure to please your loved ones.

A Baker’s Journey

I’m a British baking-blogger-turnedfood-photographer/videographer who took the leap and moved to Austin with my husband and our 2-year-old son in June 2024.

More than six months in, I can say it’s been the best thing we’ve ever done, and we feel incredibly settled and grateful to have found the Mueller community.

My blog, called My Kitchen Drawer, has been running for 10 years as of the end of January! What started as a nurtured passion for home baking and documenting those creations grew into a joy of producing content and turning delicious recipes into visually

captivating food stories.

Since 2021, I’ve worked with brands across the food and drinks industry to create online content that brings clients’ brand vision and goals to life!

Mess overstimulates me, but I’m often covered in some kind of flour dust or brownie batter, and my baking cupboard is one pull away from a baking-tin avalanche. I sometimes forget to charge my camera battery before shoots and often realize I’m out of butter the moment I need it, but I’m never out of eggs, chocolate chips or ideas of what to bake next!

For February, the answer was clear: Love Note Cookies!

LOVE NOTE COOKIES

These cookies are the perfect sweet treat to surprise the ones you love this Valentine’s Day. The buttery dough is filled with a sweet raspberry jam and then baked and dusted in icing sugar before serving. They’re easy to make—and so delicious that they’ll be sure to put a smile on that special someone’s face.

INGREDIENTS

• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup powdered sugar plus extra for dusting

• 1 medium egg, room temperature

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups plain flour

• 12 teaspoons raspberry jam

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 356°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and icing sugar together until smooth, then add the egg and vanilla extract and beat them through until well combined.

3. Sift in the flour, then fold it through until it comes together. Knead into a smooth dough, then flatten into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in the fridge to firm up for about 30 minutes.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1 1/4 inches thick. Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized squares using a knife or pizza cutter and use the scraps to cut out small hearts.

5. To shape the love notes, position them into a diamond shape and spread 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center. First fold the outer corners inward, then fold the bottom corner upward toward the center. Seal the center with a pastry heart then place the love notes on the prepared baking trays, leaving space between each.

6. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges begin to turn lightly golden, then remove from the oven and leave to cool before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.

Note: The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Makes: 8 to 10 cookies

Prep time: 1 hour

Bake time: 15 minutes

Keys to a Healthier Heart

For American Heart Month, know the signs of a heart attack—and how to prevent one.

Heart disease can be insidious, creeping up slowly and seemingly without warning. Often it can be “silent,” too, with no obvious symptoms until a crisis or emergency—like a heart attack—strikes.

The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that heart attacks often involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. They can also feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

But other symptoms can also indicate a heart attack. These include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, or the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat and experiencing nausea or lightheadedness can be red flags as well.

Women in particular should pay attention to changes in how they feel, especially new-onset shortness of breath, chest area discomfort or decreased activity tolerance. Women often have atypical symptoms, and any new symptoms should be discussed with a health care provider.

February is the AHA’s American Heart Month, which is an ideal time to understand not only symptoms of heart trouble but also how you can reduce your cardiovascular risks with key steps like these.

1. MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Having elevated blood pressure can directly affect the heart, which can enlarge and weaken over time if blood pressure is not controlled. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Talk with your doctor about higher numbers.

2. EAT A HEARTHEALTHY DIET. Reduce added sugar and salt; eat a diet that contains whole grains, lean proteins and fruits and vegetables; avoid saturated fats; and reduce cholesterol. A Mediterranean diet is a healthy option to consider.

3. AVOID OVEREATING. In addition to causing weight gain, eating heavy meals and large portions causes your body to work overtime and increases your heart rate. Fatty meals are particularly taxing.

4. EXERCISE. Take a brisk walk, ride a bike, swim, dance—just get moving, and aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, incorporating strength training twice a week. Exercise is essential for overall good health, helping with weight loss/control, lowering blood pressure, improving oxygen flow to muscles and decreasing emotional stress.

5. QUIT SMOKING. After one year, your risk of developing heart disease will be cut by half.

6. MANAGE STRESS. Stress can have a profound effe ct on your heart health by inducing the release of stress hormones that in turn can cause an increase in blood pressure and injury to the inner layer of your heart vessels (endothelium)—factors that can contribute to a heart attack. Yoga and meditation are just two things that can help you manage stress. Speak to your doctor about other options.

7. SLEEP WELL. Sleep is important but it’s not just about getting enough sleep, which for most adults should range from seven to nine hours per night. Restful, restorative sleep also matters. Go to bed at about the same time every night; sleep in a cool, dark room; and turn off electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets.

WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

The American Heart Association lists a number of common warning signs of a heart attack. There is overlap in symptoms experienced by men and women, but women often have some symptoms that can be different or subtle, or may be attributed to just aches and pains, the flu or heartburn. If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911. Be alert for signs like these:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting

• Jaw, neck or back pain

• Discomfort or pain in the arm or shoulder

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or fainting

• Cold sweats

• Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen

• Indigestion

PERSPECTIVES

Rain

Poem by Carmen Gray

This morning’s misty rain

Reminded me

That in these last two new days of the year

So much has been gently cleansed

The kind of purification that you might not even notice

Like walking down that same hallway

In that once familiar building

That housed so many hopes and fears and tears

But this time

It was a singular experience

In the extraordinary world

Today’s rain on the bamboo

Greeted me like an old friend

On my porch

Unlike the day before

Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a dual-language teacher, a published author and freelance writer, and contributing editor for Latino magazine.