Img_9059_3Wow- it’s 2008!! I have to say, towards the end of 2007, I just couldn’t wait for it to be over! It gets to be a bit overwhelming sometimes, doesn’t it? All the holiday mumbo-jumbo. We didn’t get around to sending out our annual Christmas cards, but I’m not allowing myself to feel an ounce of guilt about it. There were other things we didn’t get to, but it was okay and we had a great time with my in-laws.
Img_9066_3

We decided to high-tail it up to St. George, Utah to ring in the new year with our favorite Boston gal-pal, Jill and my brother who came down from Provo. Chris and I spent the entire drive quoting the "Bowie" episode from Flight of the Conchords. "It’s not Jermaine. It’s 1972 David Bowie from the Ziggy Stardust tour," and "No, I’m David Bowie" (doing both in our very best accents.) ‘Wear the eye patch Bret, wear the funky, funky eye patch.’ I’m crushing on Bret. I digress. So Zion National Park was be-au-ti-ful! I can’t believe that I lived in Utah for 12 years and never made it down there. My Mother later told us that our great-grandfather (??) helped to build this mile-long tunnel and our great-grandmother (??) was the first woman to go through on horseback in the 1920’s. Something like that. I probably should get all the facts right before I go off sounding like a big juicy liar.
Img_9086_3
New Years Eve was fun, fun, fun. There was Chet Baker on iTunes. There was chili. There was a cheese ball. There was heartburn (me, mostly) and pounds. Pounds were gained. Ticket to ride, Scattergories and a card game whose name has escaped me….Bangladesh?…no Shanghai. Yes- it was Shanghai. Ever played it before? It was heaps of fun. We paused just long enough to turn on the tv, watch the ball drop and get back to the serious game playing. We had a ball. Thanks, Jill (and Souliers- it was so fun to see you, too! Go Boston 2!)
Img_9043_2 Everytime the new year rolls around, I always get a hankering to make rugelach. I honestly don’t make it any other time of year. The new year just makes me want to invite friends over for  Saturday brunch and get out the spring-time tablecloths (I know, I’m way ahead of myself here but it’s been a ‘balmy’ 70 degrees here in LA.) I just want to make challah french toast and pop-overs and lemon curd (okay thats going to be it’s very own post.) If you haven’t made rugelah, give it a try. It’s a yummy cream-cheese dough that you roll out into a circle, like a pizza. Spread your favorite preserves (raspberry for me) sprinkle some cinnamon sugar and nuts and roll it up starting with the wide end. In general I’m not a big fruit/nut fan but these are good. I want to experiment with maybe putting some nutella down instead of preserves and then sprinkling the cinnamon/sugar stuff and topping with nuts. ".10 cents gets ‘ya nuts." (there was a lot of that over the holiday, too.) So I’ll let you  know how that turns out. When I make it again. In 2009.

Img_9106_2
One of the things that I wanted to do for the holidays was make Henry some new jammies. 2 days before Christmas, it just wasn’t going to happen. And I guess that since no one keeled over as a direct result, it was a wise choice. We went out on a date Saturday night (it should be noted that I don’t think I’ve been in a movie theater for nearly a year- and Chris and I can’t remember if we went on a date in 2007. Maybe one? Pathetic. We saw ‘Juno‘ which I desperately wanted to love, but meh. It was just ok.) Our good friends said they could watch Henry for us, which he was thrilled about. He was keen on the idea of going over to his best-buddy Shea’s house, but not so keen on the idea of having to go to sleep there, so I decided to make them a matching pair of jammies, you know in hopes of masquerading the ‘you have to go to sleep there’ for the ‘it’s so cool- you have matching jam-jam’s! That’s gonna be so fun!!’ Matchy-matchy, green squared. It worked. To ensure there would be no mix-up’s on said jammies,  I put each of their initials on the bottom of the leg.
Img_9114
I
can’t lie, he was so proud and so adorable. I was proud too, and loved how they turned out. I got a little lazy when it came to the hemming-situation. You know the whole ‘press under 1/4" and then fold 1". I hate doing that, so I had Henry try them on, measured, cut and then sewed on a thick binding. I’m all into the zig-zag stitch right now. So easy, easy, easy. I think I’m going to make all his jammies this way, plus I really like the red at the bottom. I threw them in the wash today and the felt initial and binding held up great.
Img_9124
JoAnn was having a killer deal on flannel the weekend before Christmas so I stocked up. Henry has 4 more pair of jammies coming his way. Plus, you know, flannel starts to get all weird in grungy in no time at all, so it will be good to have a few extra pair hanging around.

Well, folks, that’s the last 2 weeks of my life in a nutshell.  Pregnancy is going well. Having a ton of pelvic and tail bone pain thankyouverymuch. Man, isn’t that just. the. worst? I’ve eaten my weight in tums. I should make a heart-shaped tart out of that stuff for Valentines Day. Seriously going to get on that right now.

I just wanted to say thanks for reading this little blog of mine and for being so genuine and helpful and sweet and supportive.  You guys are the best. I’d wrap my arms around you and give you a big squeeze if I could.  Thank you, thank you. 2007 was mostly crappy so thanks for helping me pull my head out.

In the wise, wise words of  my sister, "2008 is going to kick 2007’s trash!"

xoxo

Posted in

27 responses to “Welcome 2008!”

  1. Mama Urchin Avatar

    Love that robot fabric you scored. I’ve been doing a rolled hem on my serger for pajama bottoms for the same reason. The folding and pressing gets on my nerves so I save it for when it’s really necessary.

    Like

  2. Thimbleanna Avatar

    Your little jammies are adorable — love the initials on each leg! Zion and Bryce are my very favorite ever NPs. I don’t have the exciting grandparent link that you do to Zion, but my mom worked as a maid in the lodge when she was in college, does that count? LOL! When your kids get older, you’ll have to take them to hike the Narrows in Zion — my boys LOVED it and talk all the time about going back. Happy New Year!

    Like

  3. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    Love the jammies! What a cute idea about the initials. Do you have a favorite pattern for p.j.s?

    Like

  4. Pam Avatar

    Ohh you’re so sweet! Love the little kid feet and all the pretty pictures. Glad its going well even with the discomfort. 2008 can get kicking that trash!

    Like

  5. Megs Avatar

    What a great idea to make Henry and his friend jammies. They are so cute and I love the initial on the bottom. I want some of those, in pink of course! I was shopping for flannel before Christmas and found so many great pastel prints that got me itching for spring, too. Just ten more weeks!
    I love the ten cent nut reference – my favorite AD quote ever!

    Like

  6. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    So fun to have you back online, sweetie.
    Here’s the skinny on Grandma and Grandpa Gifford. (Your Great Grandma and Grandpa)Grandpa worked on building the tunnel and when it was done, he took Grandma thru on horseback. She was the first woman to go thru and was about 21 years old.
    The Giffords helped settle Springdale, at the mouth of Zion’s Canyon and Grma and Grpa had a little house right on the main street, kitty-corner across from the church, which is now a restaurant.Your Grandpa (my dad) was born and lived there until he was 9 yrs. old.
    Love those jammies … watching your projects always reminds me of when I was your age … whipping up matching jammies for you 4 girls, Halloween costumes, school dresses and church clothes. Then there was the year I made poor Matt wear those horrid wool trousers I made to church even tho’ they made him itch. :< I’M SO SORRY!!

    Like

  7. Kirsten Avatar

    I love rugelach! They look so tasty! I’ve never tried making them myself, but I love eating them 🙂

    Like

  8. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    I don’t know what I’d do if I weren’t ringing in the New Year with the Moores! Thanks for the great time — let’s do it again soon! Love you all! J.

    Like

  9. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    Morgan-glad to have you back. I love your blog and you are just about the coolest person that I don’t know. That sounded weird. Oh well-Happy New Year.

    Like

  10. ellen Crimi-Trent Avatar

    hello greetings from Massachusetts! I just found your blog via Grand Revival Design, and I thought my husband and I were the only ones who love Flight of the Conchords!! The best new show ever!!
    Love those jammies, I will have to try and make some next year for my boys!!
    Ellen

    Like

  11. kristy Avatar

    Glad to see you back online!
    I hope 08 rocks your socks off girlie! 🙂

    Like

  12. michal Avatar

    there are so many things in that post to comment on! first, love the first photo of zion. amazing. next, i love rugelach. the russians make something somewhat similar that i’ve never been able to find in the states, even in russian markets. i’ll have to try my hand at rugelach. i always get some when we go to junior’s (which isn’t very often these days.) love henry’s pjs. you are so talented and inspiring. one of these days i’m going to learn to sew. and as far as the pain goes–even the heartburn–you need to see a chiropractor. i kid you not, my aches and pains and even heartburn were greatly eased by frequent adjustments through pregnancy. if you need a good one, call jared. i’m sure he’s got a buddy practicing out your way.
    lots of love to your little growing family!

    Like

  13. Morgan Avatar

    Hi guys- the pattern I used was SIMPLICITY #3584- a super cinch, you can crank these out in less than an hour.

    Like

  14. abbey Avatar
    abbey

    So bummed we didn’t get to hang out while we were in the same state! Oh well. Next time.
    I made nightgowns for my girls this year, but I made them with candy cane striped flannel, so they were pretty much a Christmas Eve deal. I can’t see them wearing them in February. 🙂
    By the way, speaking as one who deals with acid reflux every pregnancy and who used to buy Tums in bulk, I have one word for you: PRILOSEC!! Ask your doc if it’s ok to take it (I take the OTC kind). It has made my life SO MUCH BETTER.

    Like

  15. the farmers wife Avatar

    WOW! You’ve been busy. Zion is so awesome, a photographer’s dream come true. I really have a taste for rugelach now and I’ll have to make up a batch.

    Like

  16. Jennifer Avatar

    This was just one heck of a rockin’ post! So much great stuff going on, so many great pictures, so many wonderful stories. And I’m relieved that your mom wrote down the grandparental story for you — please be sure to get that, and all the family stories that you can, captured in a way that you can hand them down to the young’uns. Yup — 2008 is going to be fantastic; here’s the taking us all along for the ride.

    Like

  17. Jacy Avatar

    Hi Morgan!
    I’m glad your year seems to be off to such a great start. I’m totally loving Henry’s cute little jammies. Personalized and everything! You are incredible. The fabric for the ones to come look just as cute. I can never find such cute fabric as you do!
    Sorry to hear about the pelvic/tailbone pain. I think that’s the worst part about pregnancy. I remember having a hard time walking and being CONVINCED that my tailbone was actually broken. Though I know that cute little Moore girl will all be worth it. I’m so excited for you!

    Like

  18. Judy in Carefree Avatar
    Judy in Carefree

    Loved the picture of Zion. Brought back memories of hiking there when I was 7 months pregnant with a 2 yr. old on my hip…she wouldn’t let daddy carry her! Beautiful country! Glad all is going well. 2007 couldn’t be over soon enough for us either!

    Like

  19. Oiyi Avatar

    Yum, I love to eat rugelah. I am been using the the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe and everyone loves it.

    Like

  20. Diana Avatar

    Yea! I stumbled across this blog and, hey, I know you!! Diana Beck? Timpview?? How are ya?

    Like

  21. Felicia Avatar

    Wow, those nature shots are completely amazing! And your new flannels look yummy too 🙂

    Like

  22. amandajean Avatar

    love the initial on the jammie bottoms. such a cute idea.

    Like

  23. Ellie Avatar

    That first shot you posted in Zion is amazingly beautiful!

    Like

  24. Betsey Avatar
    Betsey

    I love the jammies with the H….You are so sweet and thoughtful to make S jammies as well!
    2008 is going to be amazing! Glad to hear that you guys had such a great Christmas…we can’t wait to see you sometime soon!

    Like

  25. Kathy Allen Avatar
    Kathy Allen

    Morgan,
    Good to catch up on your life. Very exciting about the little girl who is coming. Tums are good for about the first week and then it’s a toss up, “um, tums or heartburn, can’t decide!” And the pelvic pain is the worst. Those of us who have awful pregnancies must somehow love our kids more, right? 🙂 We’re just grateful we can have them, even if we endure nine months of grief. Happy 2008.
    Kathy Allen

    Like

  26. Grace Avatar

    Love the jammies and everything else! Your new year’s eve sounds fun!
    And I just wanted to say, with the pregnancy, I had the same tailbone and pelvic pains with my second. Ugh. I feel for you. Also, you could try papaya enzyme instead of Tums. I switched to that near the end of my second pregnancy when I thought that the heartburn would kill me, and it seemed to work better. Here’s a link to one product. (Also it tastes better than Tums — not so chalky and smaller tabs.)

    Like

  27. julie Avatar

    here is a little secret about flannel..
    if you iron it with magic sizing it will look like brand new! it is the greatest thing.
    try it I don’t think you will be disappointed.
    julie
    btw the jammies are darling. I bought the same owl fabric for my daughter for lounge pants.

    Like

Leave a reply to Jacy Cancel reply