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newsletter

Notes from Tina | Monthly Newsletter №20

Well Hello There!
How's everyone doing? 

Welcome to my monthly newsletter where I share whats been happening with me and on the blog over the past month. So grab a drink, get comfy and enjoy! 


AFFILIATE: I am not affiliated with any company/business shared on this website, I do NOT earn a commission ☆ COPYRIGHT: All content, text and images (unless otherwise stated), contained within this blog belongs to Tina at MapleStone Home - More ☆ DISCLAIMER: Perform all projects at your own risk! - More



Life Lately 



Well, here we are at the end of April.  Can you believe it?

After being sick I'm way behind on the many things I wanted to accomplish this month. But instead of running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I just worked on things as I felt like it, including blog posts! 

As I mentioned in March our oldest grandson 'D' drove up for his girlfriends birthday. He was here March 29th to April 5th. I sure do miss him. 

 'D' mom 'L' took her Florida state insurance license exam on the 2nd and passed! We're so proud of her!

Our youngest son 'M' turned 35 this month! 

'L' and her hubby 'W' celebrated their anniversary this month and my niece celebrated a birthday. We have several birthdays coming up next month.

Thankfully tax season is over,  WOOHOO... until next year, BOO!

How was your Easter? Do/did you get together with family/friends? We just hung around the house and worked on projects. 

DH and I met up with friends from high school for lunch at the Capefear Vineyard & Winery . The weather was nice and the food was great! We also saw Elvis! 

Elvis the peacock! 

Fun times, lol! 



Around Our Home 


I used ChatGPT an AI to create this Beatrix Potter style rendering of our home. Isn't it cute?

Oh Lookie here!
We're having a single car garage built! Cuz the double car garage isn't big enough...I really need to get rid of alot of 💩

I also did a spring refresh on the front porch,  which will post next month.


We hired a friend (he has a lawn care business)  of "M's" to put in new edging and replace the mulch out front. 




Around the Web


  • Looking for inspiration/how to arrange pillows on your bed? Well Nadine at Nadine Stay has a post to help you out (HERE)
  • Do you watch 'Home Town' with Ben and Erin Napier?  Ever wondered what the most used paint colors are? You can find out (HERE)
  • Looking for wonderful smelling flowers for your garden? Country Living UK has the answer (HERE)
  • I would love to buy a little fixer upper. How about you?  According to This Article  the popularity of fixer uppers may be on the downswing.
  • Need plant markers for your garden? DIY Clay plant markers from Jennifer at Cottage on Bunker Hill



On the Blog



What I've Read |April 2025



A Note from Tina | Monthly Newsletter №19


Window Valances, Yes or No?

That's all, see you next month! 

xoxo Tina
 



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    Reading Nook

    What I've Read | April 25'



    Welcome to What I've Read. This is where I share book(s) from true crime, who done its, historical, and other genres that I've read this month. My hope is you find a new book, author or genre to add to your reading list.
    Happy Reading!

    AFFILIATE: I am not affiliated with any company/business shared on this website, I do not earn a commission ☆ COPYRIGHT: Here ☆ DISCLAIMER: Here


    Change Your Diet Change Your Mind|Author: Georgia Ede, MD, Here 


    Combine the surprising truth about brain food with the cutting-edge science of brain metabolism to achieve extraordinary improvements to your emotional, cognitive, and physical health.​
     
    Are you struggling with attention problems, mood swings, food obsession, or depression? Whatever the issue, you have far more control over your thoughts, feelings, and behavior than you realize. Although medications may bring some relief, in Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind, Dr. Georgia Ede reveals that the most powerful way to change brain chemistry is with food, because that’s where brain chemicals come from in the first place.
     
    In this provocative, illuminating guide, Dr. Ede explains why nearly everything we think we know about brain-healthy diets is wrong. We've been told the way to protect our brains is with superfoods, supplements, and plant-based diets rich in whole grains and legumes, but the science tells a different story: not only do these strategies often fail, but some can even work against us. The truth about brain food is that meat is not dangerous, vegan diets are not healthier, and antioxidants are not the answer.
     
    Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind will empower you to:
    understand how unscientific research methods drive fickle nutrition headlines and illogical dietary guidelines
    weigh the risks and benefits of your favorite foods so you can make your own informed choices about what to eat
    evaluate yourself for signs of insulin resistance—the silent metabolic disease that robs your brain of the energy it needs to thrive
    improve your mental health with a choice of moderate-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets that you can personalize to your food preferences and health goals
    Drawing on a wide range of scientific disciplines including biochemistry, neuroscience, and botany, Dr. Ede will ignite your curiosity about the fascinating world of food and its role in nourishing, protecting, and energizing your brain.


    Legends and Lies, the patriots|Bill O'Reilly, David Fisher|Here


    The American Revolution was neither inevitable nor a unanimous cause. It pitted neighbors against each other, as loyalists and colonial rebels faced off for their lives and futures. These were the times that tried men's souls: no one was on stable ground and few could be trusted. Through the fascinating tales of the first Americans, Legends and Lies: The Patriots reveals the contentious arguments that turned friends into foes and the country into a warzone.

    From the riots over a child's murder that led to the Boston Massacre to the suspicious return of Ben Franklin, the "First American;" from the Continental Army's first victory under George Washington's leadership to the little known southern Guerilla campaign of "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion, and the celebration of America's first Christmas, The Patriots recreates the amazing combination of resourcefulness, perseverance, strategy, and luck that led to this country's creation.

    Heavily illustrated with spectacular artwork that brings this important history to vivid life, and told in the same fast-paced, immersive narrative as the first Legends and Lies, The Patriots is an irresistible, adventure-packed journey back into one of the most storied moments of our nation's rich history.

    The Collected English Cottage | Author: Bethany Adams | Here



    Join us as we explore storybook retreats across the Land of the Rose, where inviting interiors encourage cozy gatherings and gardens burst with floral beauty. We’ll visit a centuries-old Georgian gem in northern Cornwall and a charming farmhouse nestled in the Windrush Valley of the Cotswolds. One family finds their perfect home in a converted granary in the North Yorkshire countryside, while another is drawn to a thatched-roof cottage in East Devon that beckons them back to idyllic village life. Turn the pages to discover all this and more, leading you to your own happily-ever-after!


    The Maine House|Author: Maura McEvoy & Basha Burwell |Here


    For several years, acclaimed photographer Maura McEvoy and art director Basha Burwell traveled the length and breadth of Maine in search of houses that capture the state’s singular character. These are not designer houses; they are homes created by the people who live in them, from artists to writers to fishermen, distinctive for their ingenuity, originality, and fierce individuality. Many are unchanged, inhabited by generations of the same family; some are ingenious conversions.
    As Kathleen Hackett observes in her eloquent text, these are homes that have a kind of visual wealth that money can’t buy, homes that define the very spirit of Maine.



    That's all for this month.  
    xoxo Tina
     



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      decorating

      Window Valances, Yes or No?

       Do you like window valances? Or do you think they're outdated? I honestly like them sometimes but sometimes I don't, it depends on where they are hung, what the style is and the fabric used.


      Affiliate: I am not affiliated with any company/business shared on this website. So I do not earn a commission.
      Copyright/Photo Usage
      Disclaimer

      I am making some changes in our kitchen, dining room, foyer and living/family room (which ever you call it). We don't have an open floor plan, BUT all these areas are connected. 

      As you see, you can pretty much see a part of or all of these rooms from one another. So I've always tried to have a cohesive look. This time is no different. 

      In our living/family room Darlin Hubby and I added built-ins on the wall with our fireplace and windows (about 10 years ago). 

      For awhile there were just the blinds, then sheers (which I really liked they softened the window but still allowed light). Then I hung curtains. However I really wasn't happy with them.  

      So, I've decided to go with a simple valance. Which got me curious, "are valances still in?". Even if they weren't "it's my home" so I'd do whatever makes me happy! But curiosity...


      This is what I discovered...

      (AI overview)

      No, valances are not necessarily out of style, but the key is to choose modern designs with clean lines and simple fabrics to avoid looking outdated; overly elaborate, traditional valances might be considered dated, while contemporary designs can still be a stylish addition to a room. 
      Key points about valances and style:
      • Evolution of design:
        Valances have evolved from their Victorian-era ornate styles to incorporate more minimalist and modern aesthetics with cleaner lines and sophisticated fabrics. 
      • Modern valance features:
        Look for flat, tailored designs, neutral colors, geometric patterns, or natural materials to achieve a contemporary look. 
      • Functionality:
        Valances can still serve a practical purpose by concealing window hardware or adding a layer of insulation. 


      Faux Roman Shade Valance


      Rod Pocket Tie-up Valance 


      Scalloped Window Valance 


      I'm leaning more toward the Faux Roman Shade Valance for our windows, which I may have to make, so...🤷‍♀️ Or I may just go back to sheers...🤔


      ♥︎ TIP ♥︎
      There are many valance options available, just search Pinterest for "modern valances". 


      Do or would you use valances in your home?


      xoxo Tina

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      WELCOME! I'M

      TINA

      WELCOME! I'M
      ... the creator & owner of MapleStone; a diy, home decor & lifestyle blog established in 2011. This is where I share crafts, diy's, a few recipes, & happenings in my North Carolina home. Here's hoping this little corner of the blogging world inspires you to go 'from house living to home loving' using what you have, love and your budget allows.

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