After Ten Speed Press had my cookbook manuscript for almost two years they finally returned it with a very nice rejection notice! But the good news is that I have decided to publish my own book. I am working with Laney D’Aquino (art) and Toki Cavaner (photos) and I have compiled some of our most requested recipes. The cookbook is called “Breakfast at Morning Glory” Recipes from the little blue house. We should have it available in a few weeks and I will certainly have it available for sale on the website

I am happy to say that the new Morning Glory menu is close to being finished. This is a project that I have been working on since last spring! Not only will the menu have a whole new look ,but it will also have some new menu items. It will be interesting to hear the response from all of our wonderful customer’s! I am still working diligently on the cookbook..in between running the restaurant. I was able to get another manuscript sent to Chronicle Books in San Francisco, so we’ll see. I know that alot of the publishers are struggling right now, but it seems to me that new books are still coming out all of the time. I got an unusual and exciting email yesterday from a writer who is in a compeition to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. The book is called "Jonathan’s Dream" and it is geared toward the youth/young adult.

The author, D.B Pacini somehow found out about Morning Glory,(She lives in California) and decided to feature it in part of her story..specifically about our Moroccan Oatmeal! So we wish her the best of luck in the compeition!

Holiday updates: We will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and open for our annual New Years Day pajama party! So join us in your best PJ’s! I am also taking reservations through the holidays for private dinner parties with a minimum of 15 people. Please ask about the menu items if you are interested. May i wish each and everyone of you a very special holiday!

Well the cookbook has pretty much come to a standstill right now. I was able to escape to Colorado for a few days and then on my return we particpated in the "Taste of Ashland" which took up alot of time! It was a fun event though. Still waiting to hear from ten speed press regarding the cookbook and in the meantime I started self publishing on Lulu.com. Unfortunately all of my work was lost…so I am back at ground zero with that one. Exciting news.. we now have a full liquor license and are serving some great Bloody Mary’s along with all of your other favorites. Be in touch soon. Look for our new menu design!!! Coming soon also.

I just want to apologise for the fact that our website has been down for a few months…Not exactly how I wanted to start out the year, but somehow we had become "outdated". Hopefully you will find our new site a little bit more manageable.I would like to thank all of our customer’s for making 2008 our best year ever and I cannot tell you how grateful I am that we continue to thrive in this terrible economic climate. Ashland is once again gearing up for a great Shakespeare season and we are also looking forward to the Ashland Independent Film Festival that is coming in April.

I have some great news regarding our lodging neighborhood. The Ashland Motel which is located right next door to Morningglory recently sold and we are very excited because the motel is being retored back to it’s Deco splendor. They are cleaning it up and painting as we speak and things should be ready to go by this summer. It is a great option if you don’t want to be downtown and the rates will remain reasonable. Well, and of course you can be first in line for breakfast! They have no idea that I am plugging them but that is how excited I am. For reservations you can call 541-482-2561. We are also excited because the Palm Motel which is a block away and as cute as a button is now being managed by Greg Schmidt who is the husband of Christina, our dining room manager. He is a great guy and will make your stay there even better!  The Palm Motel is already very popular so I would reserve early…541-482-2636.

Cookbook update: The book is at Ten Speed Press right now awaiting approval or disapproval. I should hear back within a couple weeks and will keep you posted. Regardless, the book will be published and the sooner the better. My plan is to get you excited, so each week I will publish a recipe from the book along with a photo. You will be on the journey with me as I convert and test the recipes for smaller portions. That is the challenge as all of the recipes I have created are for large quantities..not 4-6 people which is usually the desired amount. So, let’s get started!

My wish is for Morningglory to continue to be a sanctuary where friends and family can continue to meet and that for maybe a brief moment; the worries of the world will fall away. Food, Friends and Family…What else is there? Patty

First I all I just want to say that there is no point in having a blog if one never blogs..
So, all excuses aside…on with the show. I want to say kuddos to Dave Kilmer for my
new website design, not only has he put up with me for three years cooking on the line
at the restaurant (that is a difficult feat!) but we have really become a great team as
far as restaurant ideas and design. For those that are wishing the website services
that Dave can provide, you should email him at Kilmertech.com. Trust me he did not put
me up to this!!! Thanks again, Dave .Life at Morning Glory in the last few months have
been chaotic to say the least. The test of a great restaurant is one in which the chaos
behind the scenes does not filter out into the front scene. Which means still having the
food perfect..the service at it’s best..and a happy staff. Whew, it has been tough. I
had to fire two cooks in two days starting on News Years Day..go figure. Hired one who showed up for one day of training..never showed again. Hired another cook
who worked for about six weeks and then gave his notice..two days notice. Dave,
my line cook, Chip, my prep cook and I each worked for about six weeks straight.
So, I hired back one of the cooks that I had fired (welcome back Mark!), hired a new
line cook (Mike, who is doing great) and hired Taylor the newest newbie in the
kitchen, for prep. This all happened this past week and it has been such a relief.

This is what I want to say to all that dream of owning your own restaurant. You
have to be able to step in to any position that comes up, especially in the kitchen.
The advantage that I have over most restaurants is that I am the chef and I line
cook and I prep cook. If for some reason, someone is late,sick or sick of being
late or hungover,or drunk (we won’t name any names) I can step right in and the
customer will never know what is going on (well most of the time!) the show out
front continues and the food and service is the same. Having a restaurant is like putting on a show every single day. Every person has a part, the stage is set, the lights go on and another performance begins.

This week we are changing the menu and I am trying my hardest to bring back
all of your top favorites. I won’t go in to details right now , but we should have it
all up and running by next weekend. Unfortunately, I am having to raise my prices
by a dollar..or a little more..everything on my end has gone up..food, coffee,
utilities,labor etc. The great food and service will not change! Please
email me if you know that you are coming to the restaurant and you were wowed
by a particular special, if you give me enough notice I will certainly do my best to
have that special..especially for you! blogging out, Patty