The Miller Homestead - Sewing Room

Probably my favorite room in our house is my Sewing Room. I'd say it is where I spend most of my free time.

One of the main reasons is that one corner of the room is also my "Office/Library". I haven't counted how many books are in my TBR pile lately. Probably around 100.
This is my Desk where I blog, check emails, pay bills, surf the net and make lists.

On the walls are Doll Quilts that I've received in numerous swaps.

This is my Design Wall. Currently on the wall is a Round Robin quilt that I need to put the next round on and ship it off to the next person. Isn't it beautiful?

This is my Work Station. My hubby put it together for me using old closet doors. You can see my cutting mat and rulers, ironing mat and my shelves that are overflowing. I don't know where I put all my stuff before I had this area. Under the counter are bins full of fabric.

My old Dining Room table is now my Sewing Table. The Industrial Sewing Machine is the one I used in my family's sewing shop when I was growing up. It is now an heirloom to pass down.

My new Brother Sewing Machine that I bought last summer with money I made from selling a customized quilt.

My Dress Form holding a shawl and some more Doll Quilts.

This Writing Desk was my mother-in-law's. She gave it to me before she passed away. This is one of my favorite possessions. I love everything stationary and enjoy sending hand-written notes. My BFF who lives 5 minutes away is my penpal. lol!

And that is my Sewing Room on a clean day. It won't look like that for long. Glad you didn't miss it!

The Miller Homestead - Family Room

Today's featured room at "The Miller Homestead" is the Family Room. This is in everyway a room for the whole family. We converted our attached garage into more living space to save everyone's sanity.

This is an overall view of the room. Do you see my Thomas Kincade picture that I won at a Home Interior Bingo Party?

You can see the doorway going into the Laundry Hall. My treadmill is positioned so that when I pull use it, I can see the TV. There's my baby sleeping on the couch down in the lower right corner.
This is the Play Corner. I didn't realize this recliner looked so worn until I saw this picture.
We have a little entry area right off the door. I usually check myself in the mirror before leaving. Most of the time I have to run back in to fix myself.
And that is our Family Room. In a few years when the youngest is a little older, we will get new furniture. Someday.

The Miller Homestead - Dining Room

Today's featured room in "The Miller Homestead" is the Dining Room. It is small but functional.

I made the window topper on the the sliding glass door that lead to the deck. I also recovered the chairs in matching fabric. My mom made my crocheted table runner. The basket of flowers was a decoration at our wedding nearly 10 years ago. It has been on our Dining Room table ever since.

In this picture you can see my book shelf. (Trust me. Those aren't my only books.) On top the book shelf sits our Family Bible that my mom and dad got us for our wedding. The bamboo was given to us about 9 years ago and is still living! Our little birdie, Sky, is in the corner under a picture of the girls.
And here is our lazy lump labrador, Lilah. Say that 10 times fast!

And that's our Dining Room. Wasn't it exciting?!?

Tomorrow: the Family Room.

The Miller Homestead - Kitchen

Since my blog is called "Colletta's Kitchen Sink", I decided the tour of The Miller Hometead should start with the Kitchen.

This is an over-all view of the Kitchen from the Dining Room. I couldn't figure out what the black things were on the floor. Then I remembered that the phone had fallen off the counter and the back popped off.

Here's the infamous Kitchen sink. I had to get a picture while it was actually empty for about 2 seconds. The window looks out onto the Deck.

In this picture you can see more of the counter space, the microwave, the refrigerator and the laundry "hall" off to the side of the Kitchen.

This corner houses the stove, my Pampered Chef turnabout, the garbage can and my baker's rack with my stereo and cds. You can also see one of my aprons hanging on the wall. There are a couple hooks beyond that holding more aprons.



Also on the baker's rack our snowcone maker and syrup, my cookbooks and our "Celebration Board". I got the idea of the "Celebration Board" from a blog. (its been a while and I can't remember which one.) The idea is to have the whole family pariticipate in writing things each day that are worth celebrating. This day we celebrated "Clean Rooms!"

Here is our bar area. We eat lunch here alot and the kids usually have their snack here. Whenever my dad comes, he always sits on the stool over by the wall. I always know when he's been here because he never pushes it back in!

Well, that's my humble Kitchen. Watch tomorrow for the Dining Room.

The Miller Homestead

This week I'm on vacation in Niagra Falls, NY (Yay!). So while I'm not home, I thought it would be a good time to show my home to you. Each day will feature a different room.


I thought you might like to see the outside of The Miller Homestead so that you can get the full picture.

It is a ranch-style home on the corner of Market Street and River Drive. It is actually Wills Creek that is directly across from our house but the area already has a Creek Road, so River Drive it is.

You can see that we live at 106 River Drive. We planted Butterly Bushes on either side of our front porch. The girls love to watch and sometimes chase the butterflies that are drawn to the bushes.


This is what we call our "Playground". You can see my one of my swings down at the corner so I can relax while watching the girls play.

We're still working on the Pool deck, patio and back deck. When they are finished up and decent for pictures. I'll show them to you.

Tomorrow you get to see my Kitchen!

Going on Vacation

I've got so much to do today to get ready for our Road Trip Vacation to Niagara Falls. We'll be leaving first thing Monday morning and returning Saturday.
If everything works out as planned, I've set up a series to be posted this week on "The Miller Homestead". I hope it works!

I'll see you all when I get back!

Book Review: "Hearts Awakening" by Delia Parr

Book Description:

With no means to support herself, Ellie Kilmer agrees to work as a housekeeper for the young widower who lives on Dillon Island, hopeful she can obtain a proper reference. But Jackson Smith quickly realizes that Ellie's presence may solve his own problems--both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.

When a marriage of convenience is offered, Ellie is initially humiliated. Though she is past the age most women marry, she has more pride than to agree to his outlandish suggestion. Yet what options does she have? To marry would mean a home and stability. So despite the rumors circling Jackson and his first wife, Ellie accepts this unlikely proposal...

My Thoughts:

I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting until I finished it at 3:00am. I felt so good to get lost in a great book again!

The setting was original, the characters were interesting and even though marriage of convenience plots are pretty common this book was anything but common. It was full of conflicts and twists.

It was the best book I've read in quite a while. I'll definitely be looking for more from Delia Parr.

Book Review: "Wedding Bell Blues" by Linda Windsor

The Piper Cove Chronicles Book 1

Book Description:

Not even a big budget can help Alex make her sister's wedding the event of the year. The usually calm and collected Alex is rattled when the man who walked out on her sixteen years ago to pursue a rock-and-roll career returns to be the best man.

In desperation, she calls on her three best friends to help pull off the shindig, and keep her away from the devastatingly handsome Josh. Tomboy Ellen, shy Jan, and vivacious Sue Ann join forces to keep Alex on track.

But fate won't be stopped in this small seaside town. Alex finds it as impossible to avoid Josh as it is to deny that he's a changed man. Is it too late for their love? Only faith, family, and best friends will tell.

My Thoughts:

I can't believe how long it took me to read this book. Not because it wasn't good, because it was. But between deep cleaning the house, getting ready for vacation, and starting my exercise routine again, I've been busy. By evening I've just been ready to fall into bed.

I finally finished it tonight. Once again, I wish I could have read this book in more solid chunks of time. Now that my major work is done, I just be able to spend more time this summer reading.

I was really looking forward to reading the first book in a new series. I enjoyed learning the town and the characters. However, I thought it moved just a little too fast. Josh and Alex had divorced 16 years earlier and hadn't talk since. Then all of a sudden he's back in town and before you know it they are back together.

I'm going to chalk my discontent up to not being able to focus on reading this book. I'll give this series another chance when the next book is released.

Cinnamon & Sugar Tortillas

My 9-yr-old, Kaylee, got "A Cookbook For Mommy & Me" at a book fair. It has fun and easy recipes that are designed to teach kid how to help cook and bake. My girls get so excited anytime I pull it out and say we're going to make something.
So far we've made: Mini Pizzas, Easy Chocolate Cookie Spots and Ants on a Log. They were all so much fun and even my 3-yr-old, Laken, did a great job helping.

A few evening ago we made Cinnamon & Sugar Tortillas. I actually remembered to take pictures as we made them. Ta Da!

Cinnamon & Sugar Tortillas

Ingredients:

1 flour tortilla
Butter
Cinnamon
Sugar
Microwave-safe plate

Place the tortilla on the microwave-safe plate.

Let your little helper spread butter all over the tortilla.

Put the plate into the microwave for 20 seconds. Your little one can push the buttons with your help.

Sprinkle on some sugar.

Sprinkle on some cinnamon.

As much or as little as you desire.

Roll the tortilla up.

Ta Da! Your Cinnamon & Sugar Tortilla. Yummy!

Let each child make their own. There may be some drama as the to the order they get to make them. You may have to use your mommy voice but it is so much fun to see your children create.

It Is Done!

No, my computer isn't broken. But...My House Is Clean!!!

My mom helped me "Spring Clean" (in July? I know.), and we just finished the last room!!!! I really love my mommy.

I'm planning a series for next week to show you "The Miller Homestead". I bet you can't wait.

Euro Bungy

Have you ever heard of Euro Bungy? I never had until we went to the Galleria Mall in Jownstown this past Sunday. It is jumping on a trampoline with bungy cords hooked to you.



Of course, as soon as we saw it in the middle of the mall, Kaylee just HAD to try it.



I got such a kick out of this sign.

Getting strapped in.

She had a rough time getting enough umph to get started.

A little higher...

She refused to try a flip even though we tried to talk her into it.

This is a two-story mall and she was jumping higher than the railing to the second story.

She wanted to go again. I told her that for $6 a pop, she'd have to wait until next time.

A Better Walk

I've started a new blog to focus on striving to get healthier.

I've named it "A Better Walk".

If you have the time, come take a look.

200th Post Giveaway Winner(s)!!

Thank you, everyone, for participating in the celebration of my 200th Post. We had a total of 44 entries and I wish I could send each of you a prize.

But the actual winner is:

Edwina!!!


She said:

"My ultimate summer vacation would be to have one of those super-duper fancy tour buses (like the country music stars have) and travel all over the US to see all of the magnificent things God has given us - Yellowstone, Rockies, etc. I would take this trip the latter part of the summer so that I would end up in New England in the fall when the leaves change colors. "

Edwina won a handmade crocheted shawl made with Lion Brand Homespun yarn. I'm not going to say what color I decided to send. I want it to be a surprise when she opens her package.


She's also getting a copy of "The Bridegrooms" by Allison Pittman.


I stated in the giveaway post that if I got 10 new followers, I would draw an addition person to win a second book. I am so excited to tell you that I got 9 new followers. I know I said 10 was the magic number, but I don't care! I drew a second name anyway!


The second winner is:

Lisa!!!

She said:

"My dream summer vacation would be a Cruise to Hawaii with my family and I would love to go scuba diving with the kids! "

Lisa will be receiving "A Stitch in Time" by Bateman, Cox, Hake & McDonough.

I'll be sending each of the winners an email to get their mailing information.

Again,

200th Post Giveaway...Last Chance

My 200th Post Giveaway ends today at 12pm est. That about 1.5 hours left to enter. The winning entry will receive a handmade shawl and "Bridegrooms" by Allison Pittman.

I've gotten 9 new followers. We need 1 more follower and I'll be giving away a second book to another participant.

Click on the giveaway button on my sidebar to enter.