A Note from Tina | №10


Hello Sweet Friends! 

Welcome to 'A Note from Tina'. A monthly note where you can catch-up on all the projects, d.i.y.s, crafts, recipes, and life here at Maples & Stone. So grab your favorite drink and join me for a few. Thank you for being here! 



Life Lately

This month has been another busy month for us. We had our driveway extended, sidewalk from the driveway to the backgate, and a side patio poured. 




Instead of having them haul off the dirt they removed we had them put it in the backyard to use in areas that have slowly washed away and around the trees and roots. We also used it in the newly created bed (seen above^). We still have more to go (sigh). I'm tired of moving dirt, BUT, thankful that I can.

We spread out new mulch in the front beds.

I inherited my parents birdbath/fountain. Jeff got it working again, put it in the front bed, and now there's the soothing sound of moving water while sitting on the front porch swing. 


Plus my middle grandchild Jacs is up from Florida visiting for a couple weeks. 

Shopping 

  • I bought another Brumate cup w/straw...I LOVE it! If you've never tried them,  this is the one to start with.
  •  I bought this bag  to replace the worn out one I had for years. I wear jeans a lot during the spring/ summer and this is perfect for me. 
If you want to take a look at some of my favorite purchases go Here (I'm always adding more) 

I'm NOT affiliated with any company/ business shared by me, so I do not receive any form of compensation 

 On the Blog 

So here's to another month marked off. Be on the lookout in the coming months for a mid-month 'note from Tina' (if I can get caught up on my posts in drafts) .

Hope you have a wonderful June! 

Thank you very much for being here!

Have a great day!

❦ Hugs,Tina ❦



you'll find me sharing at the parties listed here
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What I've Read | May 2024


Hello sweet friends and Welcome to 'What I've Read'.

If you're new here this is a monthly post of the books I've read either on Kindle or in physical form, or listened to on Audible or Chirp. Hopefully you enjoy this months book(s) or if you've read any let me now what you thought in the comments below. If you want to see more of the books I've read go here or check out goodreads.

Happy Reading! 

A Year of Puttery Treats (May chapter)

Author: Alison May | ☆☆☆☆ |Available: Kindle HERE | This book covers each month as chapters and has fun ideas/inspiration for each.  


Welcome to A Year of Puttery Treats. One gorgeous, life-enhancing little something to do for each of the 365 days in the year.

Housekeeping you see, can be terribly dull. A monotonous round of chasing dirt and moving objects that we should seek to enhance with the kind of decorative little to-do’s that gladden the heart and help to bring both order and authenticity in to our homes.

While the treats vary from the pretty to the silly, the fragrant and the celebratory, they are each designed to remind us that keeping house is about more than getting busy with a vacuum and a duster and should instead be about enhancing the lives of those that live in our homes. In reflecting the soul of the Mistress of the house and marking the lives of those she shares it with, puttery treats are quite the most lovely way to ritualise life within our own four walls and more than that to celebrate the art of homemaking and bring joy to domesticity.

In a Year of Puttery treats you will find seasonal tasks and little to-dos for annual holidays and national celebrations. You will discover ways to journal your days and create a living museum of family life. You will find tiny pampering treats and scrubby housekeeping tips, and in the midst of it all, right there in the heart of your home you will find yourself…

Close To Death 

Anthony Horowitz |☆☆☆☆|Available: Here


Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong, and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.

It is the perfect idyll, until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, gaggle of shrieking children, and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and quickly offend every last one of the neighbors.

When Giles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator they can call to solve the case.

Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?

Happy Reading! 

Thank you very much for being here!

Have a great day!

❦ Hugs,Tina ❦



you'll find me sharing at the parties listed here
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Mississippi Pot Roast



This mississippi pot roast recipe quickly became a comfort food within my family. It is asked for once a month, during the fall and winter sometimes twice a month. It is such an easy meal to make you just throw it all in the crock pot and then make your mashed potatoes (+ another vegetable if you want) when it's ready to serve.

☆I would like to apologize for no photos within this post. I sometimes forget, but I will be adding some...eventually!☆


Several of the ingredients below, i.e. ranch dressing mix & brown gravy mix, I buy in bulk. I also keep several jars of peperoncinis and a box of Slow-cooker liners handy (even though I forget to use them majority of the time).



Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your week!
Tina


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★I am not affiliated with any company/business shared on my website. So I do not receive any form of compensation ★

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DIY Swing w/Arbor a Mother's Day Gift


Hey y'all! 

Well Mothers day is a week from today. It's going to feel strange this year not having my momma here. 😪  She passed March 6.

But today I'm posting about a gift from DH that makes me happy every time I see/use it. It's definitely a gift that keeps on giving! 

Mother's day 2021 my DH (darling hubby) Jeff put the finishing touches on my swing w/arbor!

It all started a couple of months before. We've had a hammock in the backyard for about 5 summers, although I enjoyed it I wanted a swing and arbor. So, I started looking for one to purchase. Have you seen the prices of the manufactured ones? WOW! And honestly I don't know why I even bothered....I prefer Jeff to build things for me anyways. Well after a lot of searching and finding lots of inspiration; I received a newsletter from Wood magazine   and found exactly what I wanted Here. I was so excited!

A list of all the supplies needed come with the plans and the plans are rather easy to follow. Thankfully about ¾ of the wood we already had, so that saved us money. It's always great when money's saved, don't you agree?  

The 1st task in building the swing were the post holes. Jeff borrowed an auger and got to work...it took him a day. The next day he set the posts, then worked on it every day after work and weekends so he could have it finished by mothers day!










After Jeff hung the swing he drilled holes in the arms to hold drinks.



Jeff has built many things for me over the years and this is one of two favorites! The other can be seen HERE

Happy Building! 
Enjoy your day! ♡ Tina
☆YOU'LL FIND ME SHARING AT THE PARTIES LISTED HERE
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