Not for the perfect prom dress or for the college of her dreams.

On July 28th, we’ll take on the ITRYathlon, an endurance race for women and children sponsored by Destination Irvine.

We will run 3 miles, bike for 9 more, and then finish with a 200 meter swim. We’ll work together; training and trying, and eventually share our mutual victory as we cross the finish line. The proceeds from our efforts will support the Irvine Public School Foundation.

Sounds great, right?

Except for the fact that I don’t run, bike or swim.

This journey will be more than just a physical challenge for this aging, sedentary mother. It will be an opportunity.

A teachable moment if you will.

I’ll be able to demonstrate some of the things I’ve been trying to teach her since she was a little girl.

-Never be afraid to take a risk and move out of your comfort zone.

-If you work hard and believe in yourself, amazing things can happen.

-You’ll never know what you’re capable of unless you try.

At 48, I have chance to show my daughter that aging isn’t something to fear or cover up. By pushing myself to become a runner and learning how to swim, I’ll show her that you’re never too old to try new things.

It’s never too late to grow.

Selfishly, I’m looking forward to having her next to me while we train; a rare commodity with a busy teenager.

I can’t predict how we’ll do on July 28th, and I hope that my non-athletic body can pull me through.

But I know for certain that Katie and I will learn a lot; about each other and about ourselves. We may not remember how fast we ran or where we finished.

But we’ll never forget that we tried.

It’s a blustery morning and the skies are threatening rain.

But inside South Coast Plaza, everything is bright and blooming.

The Southern California Spring Garden Show has begun. This four day event is celebrating its 23^rd year and is the biggest gardening event on the West Coast. The show runs from Thursday, April 26th until Sunday, April 29th and is free to the public.

I am visiting one of my my favorite shopping spots, which has been beautified even further with carefully created gardens and floral displays.

All three levels are overflowing with tropical orchids, succulents, and a wide variety of flowering plants that are bursting with blooms and ready for your garden.

This year’s theme is “Healing Gardens,” and as I pass by the tranquil scenes of lush foliage and bubbling fountains, I can’t help but feel better.

I may be a convicted plant murderer, but there’s something about seeing so many healthy, blooming beauties that gives me hope for rehabilitation.

Free seminars are scheduled all weekend, featuring an impressive lineup of gardening experts.

Like Pat Welsh, author of “Southern California Organic Gardening: Month by Month,” who will be speaking on Saturday at 1pm. She promoted the benefits of organic gardening long before it was the latest rage.

“California is a deceptively difficult climate for gardening success,” Welsh notes,  ”despite our sunshine and moderate temperatures.”  Both her presentation and her book cover tips that can lead to victory in the garden.

But this is South Coast Plaza after all, so there are many vendors on hand to help you shop for just right plant or garden tool.

So if you’re a serious backyard horticulturist or just a garden variety plant killer like me, you’ll find something lovely at the Spring Garden Show.

You might even take a little bit of it home with you.

The Southern California Spring Garden Show

www.springgardenshow.com

This enclave of 600 vintage homes is tucked away on the north side of Santa Ana, just blocks from the 5 Freeway.

Once you enter the wide, shaded streets of Floral Park, you feel as if you’ve gone back in time when most of the county was still covered in citrus groves.

Floral Park traces its roots back to the end of The Big War; not WWII, but the First World War.

In the 1920′s, servicemen came to Orange County looking for a place to settle down.

When it came time for them to build their new homes, they were influenced by the European architecture they had seen overseas.

Walking down the quiet, shaded streets of Floral Park, you see a cornucopia of architectural styles:

Spanish Colonial, English Tudor Cottages, and Italian Villas, all coexisting in a mixed pallet of design.

In the current trend of homogenized home styles and neutral-colored neighborhoods, Floral Park is a fragrant breath of fresh air.

During the weekend of April 28-29, The Floral Park Neighborhood will be hosting their annual Home Tour, which will feature selected homes and gardens.

Pair your visit to Floral Park with a stop a Café Chiarini, one of Santa Ana’s rising stars in the downtown district.

Located on the corner of Third and Olive, Café Chiarini is tucked inside a restored 1919 brick building, which also acts as a showroom for the family’s imported tile and stonework business. It also serves as a gallery for their collection of art.

This compilation works quite well, as the artwork and bubbling fountain in the adjacent brick courtyard all blend together to create a serene oasis in the heart of downtown.

But the star of Café Chiarini is the food; generous sandwiches filled with the freshest ingredients spilling out of warm sourdough bread.

Floral Park Neighborhood-Santa Ana

Cafe Chiarini

Helena Modjeska was one of a kind.

This immensely talented Shakespearean actress stunned audiences during the Golden Age of theater.

During the late 1800’s, she toured the country in her private railcar, performing to packed houses despite her thick Polish accent.

Before Modjeska, acting was a dry, distant exercise. But Helena Modjeska’s emotional, life-like performances made her a star, revolutionizing the theater.

In an era before People magazine and Access Hollywood, Modjeska became wildly famous.

And for more than 20 years, she lived right here in Orange County.

Seeking a retreat from her life on the stage, Helena Modjeska built a home, tucked away in the south county canyon that now bears her name.

She called it “Arden” after the Shakespearean forest in the play “As You Like It.” For Helena Modjeska, it was a source of constant inspiration.

Here she spent quiet days with her family, writing and painting.

She practiced lines for upcoming plays as she walked the meandering paths through her garden. 

Today, Arden has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark; one of only two in Orange County. (The other is the Nixon Birthplace and Library)

This spring, there are two opportunities to tour her former home and to learn more about one of Orange County’s most famous pioneers.

Saturday, April 21st  11am – 3pm

Author Beth Holmgren will sign her new book, “Starring Madame Modjeska” at the Katie Wheeler Library in Irvine.

The library is a replica of the Irvine Family home, where Modjeska used to visit.

RSVP required; click here for more information.

Saturday,May 19  9am – 3pm

The annual Open House and Garden Tour at Arden, Madame Modjeska’s former home.

Call (714) 649-2382  for reservations and ticket information.

On Opening Day, not only will there be new players on the field, but the fan experience will be different too.

This season, The Knothole Club will be accessible to all fans even though it’s located on the exclusive Club level. 

That’s right, all fans are invited to enjoy premium food and drinks at Angels Stadium’s own “sports bar in the stands.”

With the addition of new players Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, the Angels have upgraded their lineup.

The Knothole Club staff has busy in the off season too, retooling the newly streamlined menu.

I made a preseason visit to The Knothole Club this week to sample some of the new treats.  A rough assignment… but somebody had to do it.

The old favorites are still there, like the ever popular nachos.

But the hand-stretched, homemade soft pretzels are new to the menu.

I know, I know. Eating soft pretzels aren’t good for you.

But these warm, sweet doughy delights are amazing. Especially when they’re topped with jalapenos and melted cheddar cheese.

Trust me: these babies are worth the dietary splurge and should top every fan’s ballpark bucket list.

If your idea of baseball food is a dog and a beer, The Knothole Club has what you need.

Except the beer selections include local craft brews from Bottlegger’s Brewery in Fullerton and Hangar 24 in Redlands….

and the hot dogs look like this. 

If the game goes into extra innings, there’s always room for dessert.

Joan and Jack Swartzbaugh of Laguna Niguel agree that  this major league sundae requires a team effort.

So if you’ve never had the chance to check out The Knothole Club, this is your year.

The Knothole Club

Angels Stadium of Anaheim

2000 Gene Autry Way

Reservations Recommended: 714-940-2482

www.AngelsBaseball.com

Burger Wars are underway at 6ix Park Grill, Irvine’s surprise foodie delight, tucked away inside the Hyatt Regency Irvine. From now until April 9, you can help determine the victor.

The challenge? Create five signature burgers  featuring the Meyer all-natural, Angus beef patty. The chefs at 6ix Park Grill have responded.

The result? A  kitchen collaboration of truly inventive burger creations.

Like the Portabella Mushroom Burger with melted bleu cheese served on warm pretzel bread.

Or the Peanut Butter Chipotle Burger with pepper jack cheese and homemade jalapeno jam.

Trust me; you need to try this one.

Did I mention it’s served on Kings Hawaiian bread?

Then there’s the delicious Parmesan Burger where the patty is breaded like a chicken cutlet and is served with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella on a garlic ciabatta roll.

The Loco Moco Burger is a take on the Hawaiian classic, with egg and rich, brown gravy on a bed of rice.

But probably the most inventive presentation is the Burger Salad Stack.

The burger comes to your table in glass cylinder. Fresh bacon vinaigrette is drizzled from the top. Then the cylinder is removed and….

Viola! A burger that will fit in with your Low Carb Diet.

For the next two weeks, you can try any of 6ix Park Grill’s burger creations and be entered to win a 2 night stay in the Presidential Suite at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

And you can check out this hidden gem of a restaurant right in the heart of Irvine.

Did I mention the cocktails?

It’s hard to believe that my once fluffy, bundle of fur puppy is now a senior citizen in dog years.

I guess it happens to all of us.

So, in the spirit of reliving our youth, Murphy and I returned to one of his favorite puppyhood haunts; the Huntington Dog Beach.

Just up the coast on PCH, on a beautiful stretch of Pacific beach, is the place where dogs can enjoy the California lifestyle right alongside their owners.

The Huntington Dog Beach is a delightful spot, with fresh air and crashing waves just perfect for a water loving dog.

Murphy’s more of a land lover and steers clear of the surf.

But the soft wet sand is the perfect place to play catch.

My dog may be nearing 11, but show him a yellow tennis ball, and he is reborn.

After a good hour of beach time, we brushed off the sand and drove about a mile east on Goldenwest Ave. to The Park Bench Café.

The Park Bench is the perfect way to cap off a dog day afternoon.

This canine catering café welcomes hungry dogs to their shady tables, not far from the Huntington Beach Central Library.

They even have a menu especially created for dogs, with such delicacies as cut up hot dogs or chicken bits.

For Me….                                                                            For Murphy….

By the intensity of his stare, I can see that we have reached Murphy’s favorite time of the day; mealtime.

So what is his reward for being my perfect Beach Companion and all-around wonderful dog for many years?

A peanut butter puppy cookie. Just for him.

Huntington Dog Beach

www.dogbeach.org

The Park Bench Cafe

Park Bench Cafe

The winding country road took me deeper into Santiago Canyon. Planned communities were replaced by rolling hills and wildflowers.

I continued on, enjoying the empty road, seeking something I didn’t think existed in Orange County.

I was looking for wine.

I found it at the end of the road.

Hamilton Oaks Vineyard, nestled deep in Trabuco Canyon, was waiting to reward me for my journey with an afternoon of wine tasting.

This family owned winery is the pride of Ron and Connie Tamez, who started making wine for their family 20 years ago.

When one of their bottles turned up at the Trabuco Oaks Steak House a few miles away, the restaurant owner called and asked if they could add it to their wine list.

What was once a family project became Orange County’s first registered winery since 1886.

I settled into a wicker chair on the outdoor deck that felt more like a tree house than a traditional tasting room.

I sipped selections of Hamilton Oaks award winning wines while I sat under the shade of a 300 year old, California coastal oak tree.

There was no hurry, no traffic. I had to remind myself that I was only minutes from the 5 freeway.

Who needs to travel all the way to Napa or spend the gas money driving to Temecula?

When you can sip fine wine in your own backyard.

Hamilton Oaks Vineyard

Tasting by Appointment

www.hamiltonoaksvineyard.com

I love my coffee.

Every morning. Every day.

So when I heard that there was a new coffee place where I could savor the perfectly brewed cup, I had to go there.

When I first walked into the Portola Coffee Lab, I have to admit I was a bit intimidated.  

Maybe it was the collection of sleek espresso machines and bubbling glass beakers.

Maybe it was the serious-looking baristas in white lab coats.

Maybe it was the fact that I nearly flunked Chemistry in high school.

I thought,

Maybe I’m not smart enough for this….

But I continued on in my quest for coffee perfection and stepped up to the counter.

I soon discovered that I had nothing to fear. The baristas were more than helpful, almost eager to share the science of brewing coffee.

They guided me through the extensive list of exotic coffees and state of the art brewing methods.

Like a science experiment, I watched the process as it happened.

Ironically, my new coffee experience came from something very old.

My freshly roasted coffee was brewed in a halogen heated coffee siphon, like those used in the mid 1800’s.

I watched the bubble and glow of a contraption that looked  like something Jules Verne would have imagined.

After waiting patiently, allowing the proper chemical reactions to occur,  my perfectly brewed coffee was served, quite literally, on a silver platter.

The result was worth the wait; a full-bodied cup of caffeinated complexity.

This is not quick coffee or something to fill a paper To-Go cup.

It’s something to savor; something to sip slowly and enjoy, made by people who take their coffee seriously.

At Portola Coffee Lab, quality control is vital and the methods have been tested and proven.

Whether you’re a Coffee Geek or just a casual, cup-a-day drinker, you’ll discover the delicious benefits of better brewing through science.

Portola Coffee Lab

www.portolacoffeelab.com

For more Coffee Geekology, check out owner Jeff Duggan’s entertaining and informative blog.

Picture this:

You’re relaxing on your private deck, steps from the sand of Laguna Beach.

You take a sip of the perfectly mixed cocktail that was served directly to your cushioned chaise lounge.

You close your eyes and breathe in the fresh ocean breezes, listening to the surf from your personal piece of Paradise.

This is not a scene from the Real Housewives of Orange County.

This was how I spent a Friday afternoon with friends, ensconced in a Surf Cabana at Pacific Edge Hotel.

The newly remodeled oceanfront property has created 5, day-use retreats, which are ready for fun and right on the sand.

The style is contemporary cool, but the atmosphere is laid back casual.

Each Surf Cabana is outfitted with everything you need for entertaining; a flat screen TV, beverage bar and private baths or showers.

Think of it as your own exclusive party place at the beach.

It didn’t take long for us to settle in to our Surf Cabana. Within minutes, we staked out our comfy deck chairs and slipped off our shoes.

Our Cabana Girl kept us happy and well served with treats like the Ahi and Crab Stack with mango coulis and wasabi aioli from The Deck restaurant, just a few feet away from where we enjoyed the view.

But the beauty of the Surf Cabana stay is more than just the extraordinary ocean vistas. Each Surf Cabana experience is unique, depending on the guest.

Feel like enjoying a romantic dinner for two? A delicious meal from The Beach House restaurant can be brought to your door. Want to host a Girls’ Cabana Day complete with champagne and massages? That can be arranged too.

How about an NFL Sunday with a flag football game on the beach at halftime?

Host a wedding shower.  Entertain sun-seeking relatives. The possibilities are endless.

My friends and I could have had manicures, chocolate covered strawberries, and even an in-room spray tan if we wanted.

But somehow, we managed to spend the whole time, happily relaxing on the deck watching the sun set behind Catalina.

Sometimes the best activity is having no activity at all.

Now is the ideal time to try out a Surf Cabana while the off-season rates still apply.

You may be an Orange County local, but you can still enjoy a beach vacation; even if it’s only for a day.

Surf Cabanas at Pacific Edge Hotel

647 South Coast Highway

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Call (949) 281-5704 for reservations and rate information

www.pacificedgehotel.com