Monday, July 17, 2017

Faith*Love*Hope

My stepmom died late fall last year and I got the quilt back from her estate that I had given to my dad. It took me a couple of days to be able to take it out and look at it.
 I made this when my dad had a fall and was recovering from surgery in a nursing home near his home. We really didn't expect him to make it through that rough patch, but he's a hardy Dane. He lived 7 more years and was still fairly mobile.  This is a Bonnie Hunter free pattern that she calls Smoky Mtn stars,  which you can access HERE.
 We were raised religious so I knew my dad would like the addition of the words on top.  FAITH*LOVE*HOPE is what we needed during the difficult days of rehabbing.
 My dad grew up in Montana and Wyoming and although he was raised very poor by his single mom and grandmother, they made sure he had strong men in his life. He learned to make things, fix things, grow things, hike, fish and camp. I know he enjoyed this backing a lot.


His love for the outdoors left an impression on all four of us kids. I know that's why I fish, hike and camp now. I've since passed the love of the outdoors to my children.  (my husband too!)

He made reel after reel of video of our camping trips. We grew up in Seattle, but we went on many vacations, always camping, to Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Old Tuscon,  and many other places. Our vacations included investigating old ghost towns, spelunking, visiting family and friends. He wrote a lot of letters and kept in touch with friends from his hometown. It is hard to believe it has been 3 years since he's died. 

I give my mom a lot of credit for doing all of that with 4 kids!

Have a fantastic week, friends!



43 comments:

  1. What a sweet quilt with such special memories. I'm glad it is back with you to cherish.

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  2. What beautiful memories about your father ! Mine is 80, still autonomous with my mum and I thanks God for that.....
    Your quilt is gorgeous ! Thank you for the link... Bonnie Hunter has always good ideas !! Ah Ah !

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  3. I love the quilt, and the special memories of your father... thanks for sharing!

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  4. What a wonderful quilt and memories

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  5. So many memories brought back by the return of the quilt. Looks like it was well cared for. Thank you for sharing your father's story. He is part of what makes you "you".

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  6. Sounds like your parents worked hard to enjoy life and make memories with family. Thanks for sharing the story. I'm so glad you were given that quilt back. You will have lots more happy memories of your dad as you enjoy that quilt.

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  7. Thank you for sharing your memories of your family. What wonderful treasures you will have in the reels of film. Your quilt is wonderful. Have a great day!

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    1. PS You gave me a new vocabulary word- had to look up "spelunking" ! :)

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  8. What a beautiful post. My dad had the same values and likes. He too passed on his love of the outdoors. I'm glad you have received the quilt back. It keeps the memories alive. Hugs

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  9. I am glad his quilt is back with you. Very special memories! Hugs

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  10. Such lovely thoughts and memories about your family! I love the quilt as well as your post.

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  11. Such a beautiful quilt with so many memories, and you look SO much like your father Lori! I've enjoyed reading through your blog and look forward to more. Have a great week!

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  12. Lori, Thank you for sharing this about your life. I'm sure the tears may have been falling as you wrote this. I also grew up poor and I just lost my last living aunt at 98 and her service was a week ago Sat., but I wasn't able to travel there, but a cousin and husband stopped by and visited yesterday, with more information about my paternal grandmother, who was a quilter and a very hard working farm wife.Any good we do for others always comes around. As a widow I've learned that my helping others you help yourself.

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  13. We were the same, Lori, always camping in VT State Parks on week-ends all summer and there were 6 of us! Fishing on Sunday's in Lake Champlain. Mom made fish chowder out of whatever we caught ... sunfish and all! Such great memories ... that's for your lovely memories posting ...

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  14. Faith, Hope and Love...but the Greatest of these is Love! How precious...I am glad you have the quilt back. Hugs!

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  15. Such a nice post, I do love the old photos. I was thinking about this pattern design just last night, as I have some cowboy prints I want to use up and I thought you did a 'western' one in this design. You have your dad's eyes....Have a great day!

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  16. It's great that you got the quilt back, although it's so bittersweet!
    Love all the pictures and stories of your growing up...
    Big hugs!

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  17. Thanks for sharing this tender life moment! Wonderful quilt and gift to your dad! I think our dad's
    could have been kindred spirits!! I know this quilt will keep you warm in many ways!

    Hugs, Carrie

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  18. Beautiful, both the quilt and the tribute to your dad. I can see you in so many of his early photos, an amazing resemblance! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Love the story about your dad & your childhood which sounds like a blessed one! I made this same quilt with a friend several years ago to raise money for our guild but ours was done in scrappy blues without the words. So nice that it will provide you precious memories!

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  20. Love the 'faith, hope, love' on this quilt. So glad you are able to have it now. Wonderful story.:)

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  21. Nice quilt and beautiful memories of your dad. God bless.

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  22. What a lovely story Lori. You certainly had a wonderful childhood. The quilt is lovely and is a great memory.

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  23. Lori tu precioso edredón esta lleno de bonitos recuerdos
    ¡¡¡Me alegar que lo puedas abrazar ahora!!!

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  24. Wonderful memories and a beautiful quilt!

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  25. Love the pic of your Dad in his rompers..so cute. I think you and your daughter resemble your Dad. Sweet tribute to both your folks.

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  26. What a nice tribute, Randy. Your quilt is a treasure.

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  27. Oops... sorry Lori, I got my blogs mixed up!

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  28. That is such a beautiful quilt and wonderful that he could use it when he needed comfort. Now it is a nice memory for you to have of him and that you did for him.

    Debbie

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  29. Thank you for sharing pieces of your life and intimacy thoughts with us! I still have my dad, he is 82, and hope to share other special moments with him.
    Your quilt is so special, it brought comfort and kindness from your heart.

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  30. Such sweet memories! Today my sister & I were talking about things we remembered about our Dad. August 5 will be a year since he passed. In a way it feels like he`s still at home down in the SW. I also had a quilt returned to me that looks a bit like yours. Time just seems to flyby these days. Thank you for sharing your photos & memories.

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  31. Thanks for the lovely post! The heartfelt memories and pictures are touching. You will treasure the quilt.

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  33. What a meaningful quilt you made for your dad. I enjoyed reading about the touches you added to personalize it for him. It's bittersweet to have these return home. Thanks for sharing such a personal quilt.

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  34. Such a lovely post, Lori. Thank you for sharing all of those wonderful memories.

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  35. Great memories of your dad. Glad you have that quilt back.

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  36. I do like that pattern, especially in plaids. The addition of the words gives it personal meaning. It is good that you were able to receive it.
    The photo of your Dad as a toddler is so sweet. And I, too, see the family resemblance in his photos. : )
    Our Dad's were of a similar era. Mine grew up very poor in Idaho. Our family vacations were camping trips to many of the places you mentioned--or sometimes just along a riverbank somewhere, where we could fish for our supper.

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  37. I've always loved that quilt pattern and adding the words at the top is a great idea! Sweet memories for you to hang on to.

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  38. Loved reading about your childhood memories and your dad. You look so much like him :) What a wonderful quilt and thanks for sharing the link to Bonnie Hunter's pattern.

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  39. Such wonderful memories of your Dad. And lovely quilt too. I like what you did with the two colours for the neutral. I'm currently cutting pieces for my third one and might try that.

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  40. It's good you were able to get back the quilt you made for your dad. It looks like a perfect comfort quilt and what an addition to any family history collection you might have -- those objects that have stories to go with them. Looking at your dad's photos I see your face, too.

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  41. It's good you were able to get back the quilt you made for your dad. It looks like a perfect comfort quilt and what an addition to any family history collection you might have -- those objects that have stories to go with them. Looking at your dad's photos I see your face, too.

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