NBUS Challenge and Monday Memo

Sho 

I’ve missed the first eight days of the NBUS Challenge, but I’ll have entries for the last few days, I’m sure. NBUS stands for “Never Before Used Stuff,” and I have plenty of that. Today is my sister-in-law’s birthday, and I used the new Papertrey Ink “Sunflower Harvest” stamps. The stamp set was released in August, but this is my first play with it. I must admit that multiple step stamps do cause me some frustration, even with the MISTI. But in the end, I was happy with the outcome.

In addition to “Sunflower Harvest,” I used the “Mix and Mat: Postal” die to cut a piece of MFT “Gingham Galore” patterned paper and adhered it all to a kraft card base. 

We had a lovely week. Our neighbor has a cottage on Tar Island in the 1000 Islands, and invited us for a couple of days. He has no internet access, and almost no cell access, so I’m way behind on emails and blog reading. We had beautiful weather, and it was a very relaxing few days. On Thursday, Paul and Tracy golfed. I stayed behind and spent the morning reading in the beautiful sunshine. I finished both books for tonight’s book group, as well as Elizabeth Strout’s Anything is Possible. I read her earlier novel, My Name is Lucy Barton, and although I enjoyed it, it wasn’t as good as I had anticipated. Anything is Possible is a group of short stories which provides fascinating background stories to people mentioned in My Name is Lucy Barton as well as Lucy herself. The collection is much like the linked stories in Olive Kitteridge which I loved. Yesterday I picked up a copy of My Name is Lucy Barton to skim through now that I know so much more about the characters. 

Later in the day, another couple from our church arrived, and Paul took us on a boat tour on the St. Lawrence.

This is Boldt Castle which was built in the early 1900’s by George Boldt for his beloved wife, Louise. Sadly she died before the castle was completed, and George left it unfinished.

It’s now owned by the Thousand Island Bridge Authority who have renovated the grounds and are beginning a restoration of the interior as well. Neither of these photos show the beautiful flowers and landscaping that they have installed.

This is the boat house! The grounds are a popular tourist attraction, and the destination for many boat tours from Alexandria Bay as well as Rockport, Ontario near where we were staying.

Along the banks of the river is a statue of St. Lawrence himself.

Here are some photos from Paul’s cottage. Both mornings we were awake for the gorgeous sunrise.

Thursday morning

Friday morning

And a few photos from the property Paul owns.

I played my first bocce game ever on Friday. Sarah (our friend) and I were way ahead for most of the game, but the men came back to win by one point. Nonetheless, it was great fun, and I’ve finally found a game where I am reasonably competent!

We’re here just a few days before taking off again for a wedding in Boston, but I hope to be back the next three days with some more NBUS!

Shortly after I wrote this post, I heard about the terrible shooting last night in Las Vegas. Words escape me, as these events seem to be happening more and more often around the world. But my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims as well as all those who experienced this tragic event, and all those who responded to the violence, risking their lives to help those in need.