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A Very Modest Cottage Giveaway

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Welcome to day 2 of Wandawega Week! If you missed day 1, click here.

Today, we’re giving away a signed copy of Tereasa’s book, A Very Modest Cottage. If you’d like a chance to win it, just leave us a comment on this post between today (Tuesday, August 9th) and Thursday, August 11th at noon (Central Time).

But before you scroll down to comment, I’d like to share with you a few more gorgeous Wandawega photos, and a very special blog post Tereasa wrote about her Dad, Tom Surratt. It’s filled with love and heaps of hope, and I’m sure you’ll be as touched by it as I was…

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“An old car, a decrepit piece of furniture, a rusty old tractor, an abandoned cottage is never beyond hope. They just need to find someone who’ll believe in them.

Tom Surratt believed.

He didn’t see a worthless, geriatric farm machine that was too far gone. He had a gift to see the youth, the former self, the beauty in everything. He saw his grandson one day driving that tractor down Main street in the annual Beardstown Fall Fun Festival Parade. He didn’t see a rust bucket of a pick-up that was beyond repair. He envisioned the ‘country limoisine’ his son Sam would drive his bride Tara home in on their wedding night.

Tom’s ability to see potential where most saw junk was a gift he passed on to every member of his family. His son Sam can bring pretty much anything with an engine back to life again. And again. And again. His daughters Amy, Lisa and Holly married men cut from the same cloth. Men who know that the right combination of ambition, duct tape, and elbow grease make all things possible. His wife, Kay, held Tom’s hope in her heart as she hammered, nailed, painted, and restored half a dozen condemned properties into loving homes for low income families with her two hands. And my father Tom inspired me to see the beauty locked within an abandoned cabin bound for the wrecking ball. I saw a quiet, happy place where Dad could go to read his books and listen to his grandkids and watch the clouds roll by.

Dad didn’t make it to see the rebirth of the modest cottage.

Or to witness his grandson – with a grin a mile wide – old enough to pilot that old international Harvester tractor down Main street and win best of show for antique restorations. But his ability to dream and hope and believe lives on.

I hope this little story of a resurrection inspires you (like my Dad inspired me) to think twice before you lose faith in that old car, that weathered piece of furniture, that old tractor, or even an old, abandoned cottage.

(Tereasa’s Grandpa, holding up her Dad)

Even the most modest of projects can be become something beautiful. There is no such thing as too far gone. With hope and a hammer, I believe there is always a way.”

– Tereasa Surratt, author of A Very Modest Cottage

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(Photos 1, 2, 3, & 5 courtesy of Mary at at Home Is Where The Boat Is. Photos 4 & 6: AVeryModestCottage.blogspot.com)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Cindy

    Enjoy your site so much. Don’t know if I could ever do what you do, but it’s nice to dream. I would love a copy of the book.

  5. Laura

    Thanks for the inspiration today! If I win, I’m sure I will be even more inspired!

  7. Ashley

    Would love to crack open the pages of Theresa’s book! What a DIY inspiration:)

  10. Luciane At HomeBunch.com

    I’m obsessed about cottages. I dream of having one and this book is just beautiful! I’m crossing my fingers here!!!

    Hope everything is great with you!
    xo
    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

  11. Rachel

    This is a beautiful post, I got all teary-eyed! This cottage is gorgeous and the story behind it makes it even more beautiful. I would love this book!

  12. Karen

    Incredible job….you guys really had a vision and the desire to see it through. Anything is possible!!

  13. Jennifer

    Absolutely feel in love with this place …. spent a good hour looking at the webiste and all the photos … they are so creative with their “upcycled” look. I love it!

  15. Katie Smith

    I’d simply love an opportunity to add this book to my life!
    Thanks so much

  16. Paulina J!

    What a wonderful man and what a wonderful message. It’s so refreshing to see that tradition continued. The book looks lovely.

  17. Sandy

    Sounds like a fun book. I just recently found your blog. I am really enjoying it. Thanks

  20. Rachael

    I am loving this series of posts! I would absolutely love a copy of that beautiful book, put my name in the hat! 😉

  21. Shawna

    What a wonderful story to share with others. For those of us who get discouraged with those sometimes long and challenging projects, Thank you Tereasa for sharing your loving story. Hugs to you.

  25. Lauren Johnson

    This is such a sweet story. I’ve really enjoyed reading yesterday and today’s posts. I’ll wait to see the winner, but probably going to buy a copy of this soon!

  26. Rae

    You can tell Tereasa’s post is from her heart and tells how she felt about her dad. A very beautiful tribute ot him.

  31. Monica Judd

    What an endearing story! I would love to have this book, not to mention how much I’d like to take my family for a week to camp… looks amazing!

  33. Sarah

    I would love this book!!!! Pouring over every detail of books and magazines seems to be a hobby/obsession of mine!

  35. MiMi

    Would love to win this book since we have a small cabin that needs some extra touches…..loved all the pictures. I hope I win so that I do not have to buy this book:)

  40. Kara

    We are thinking of building a cottage on the river where my husband’s mother’s family grew up. I’m sure this book would give me lots of inspiration.

  41. Laura

    How sweet. That father’s vision did more than resurrect old engines and buildings. He left a legacy for his family. Things you love are worth fixing.

  45. Debora J

    Tereasa received a beautiful gift from her father, that of seeing what other often overlook. Real beauty isn’t just for the eyes to behold but for the heart to embrace. Thank you for sharing these stories of love.

  46. Karie

    Thanks for the fun give away….I would love a chance to win this book….
    I look forward every day to your posts….Thanks for being such an inspiration to me!

    Enjoy the day!

  50. gail kragthorpe

    girl you inspire me!!! I would love a copy of your book…Layla thanks for offering this give a way!