A Magical Mother’s Day

Image Source: Trip Advisor

Mother’s day is a joyous occasion to celebrate and honor all that our mothers do for us.

Every celebration looks different. For my family it varies year to year, but we consistently bring back two of my mother’s favorites. First, we start the day with some kind of homemade breakfast for her. She usually picks her favorite, french toast, to be accompanied by an array of meats and colorful fruits, as she has always said that a meal should be colorful, and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The second tradition is that we bring her to a store or nursery to pick out her favorite plants, most likely tomatoes, and we head home and work in the garden for the afternoon.

This year I am not able to be with my mother in person to celebrate the day, but instead I thought I would highlight two hidden gems of Orange that stay true to these traditions and host the feeling of magic that only a mother can provide to their child.

As my mother’s personal favorite breakfast spot in Orange, The Filling Station Café lives up to its reputation. Nestled into the outskirts of the Orange Circle and city center, this town favorite has breakfast and lunch and is open every day from 7am to 2:30pm. Resting underneath an assortment of colorful umbrellas and plant life, the friendly staff at the Filling Station are eager to bring to the table brightly colored breakfast plates of their house favorites, which include fluffy Blueberry Pancakes, Cinnamon or Cranberry Orange French Toast, omelets, Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, and more. For lunch they have burgers, tacos and quesadillas, salads and wraps, an array of sandwiches, and other tasty entrees. They also have vegetarian options for sandwiches, wraps, and burgers, so there’s something for everyone.

After dining at this wonderful café, I recommend heading just down the street to this second hidden gem. Dragonfly Shops and Gardens is a wonderful mix of great finds, hidden treasures, and affordable prices. This vintage 1920’s home turned shop features a selection of beautiful succulents and the largest selection of miniature and fairy gardens in Orange County. Inside, you’ll find unique gifts, jewelry, charms, and other findings.

Image Source: Dragonfly Shops and Gardens

Be sure to check out their class schedule, which hosts workshops on artistic endeavors such as mosaic tiling, succulent terrariums, fairy gardens, jewelry making, and more. Along with scheduled classes, they do private events, birthday parties, and special gatherings. This garden wonderland is the perfect place to take your mother to share the experience of crafting and magic. 

So if you’re fortunate enough to spend the day with your own mother, I highly recommend to take her to these two spots, to celebrate her role in your life and maybe even discover a new tradition.