Monday, May 2, 2011

A Special Family Gathering




To celebrate my mother's 70th birthday we three "children" and all 15 grandchildren gathered together yesterday for a picnic day at a somewhat central location. Sadly missing was my father who passed away last June after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia. However, our chosen gathering spot was where my father's family often had summer camping holidays when he was a child.

 We enjoyed beautiful weather for our day at Fingal Head overlooking Cook Island. There was time for catching up, food, presents, walking along the beaches and headland,  remote-control plane flying, beach play and simply good times together (and about 6 hours traveling time for us).





































I think the quilt was well received. Our day together was certainly a very pleasant way to celebrate mum's special birthday.

12 comments:

Andrea said...

Happy birthday to your mother! beautiful photos of the beach ... greetings from Argentina, mountains and cold

Erin said...

Oh looks like your mum liked the quilt:) Fingal hey, we were there at that park for my nephews 1st birthday in February and 12 months before for his Baptism party. I have lots of cool pics of David and my teens hanging on the climbing frame:)

Unknown said...

How wonderful you could give her such a lovely handmade gift for the occasion!

Cathy said...

A special gathering indeed! I love the beauty of your country, your photos are stunning.
I know you do not have to be "reminded" to enjoy these days with your mother. Precious memories that can not be taken away, eternal in their essence.

I wish you lived closer, we could have a quiltiing bee! Your quilts are beautiful.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Thank you everyone, It was a great day, the sort that really creates good memories. Having some photos helps us to better preserve those memories.

Cathy, it certainly would be nice to live close enough to visit.

Dan R said...

A wonderful gift! Did the six-hour travel time give you a head start on your next paper piecing project?

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

No. I'm still thinking about my next project, maybe a dress for my 7 year old or a large quilt for my bed (it's getting cooler here now). I tend not to sew while we're travelling and had to drive the last two hours home in the dark anyway.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

What a beautiful outing and a lovely present for your Mum! xo

Joyful said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joyful said...

What a nice day and way to celebrate your mom's birthday. It sounds like you live very near to a beautiful beach. I wish I did too!

Liz said...

Another beautiful post and familiar surroundings! Isn't Fingal a wonderful area? It looks like we came from the opposite side of the headland. We started on Dreamtime beach - drove down a severely pot-holed dirt road to a very secluded parking area. Our car was the only one there. (My 20 year old youngest son goes down there a lot with his friends and raves about it.)
We then walked up to the headland but didn't go down to Fingal Beach. Luckily for us it was only a 1 1/2 hour drive from Brisbane. I have been wanting to go there for ages but due to my leg & hip injury (from the car accident), I can only drive short distances before I am in an enormous amount of pain. It was a lovely day out with Michael, Bec and the two youngest. I have so many photos!!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

So very sorry to read of your father's passing, I too lost my father. So many memories as with you as you visit places as a family.

LOOKS LIKE your mom loved the gift and who would not? Its made with love.

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