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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

  2. Laura K

    What a cool book! If I won this I would definitely give it to my cousin. She’s someone who sees beauty in everything.

  5. Brooke

    What a lovely tribute to your Dad, Tereasa you were truly blessed to have him in your life! I too live in “A Very Modest Cottage” and am bringing it back to life one step at a time. I’d love to have a copy of this book, I just know I’ll be inspired!

  7. Sharlyn LePage

    Her dad reminds me a bit of mine. My dad passed away 6 years Aug.5, 2005. After he died I made a scrapbook of his life. One of the pages was to show his love for the old, cars inparticular. I entitled the page “Beauty From Ashes”. The picture of my dad on this page was when he was very young standing up on an old car in a junk yard. He could haul home the junkiest of old cars but when he was finished with them they looked like a show piece. I love all the cottage pics…before and afters are amazing.

  8. Taryn Smith

    I would love a copy of Tereasa’s book, what an amazing story! Such beautiful pictures.

  9. Sheri Tredway

    what a touching story! Makes me think of the things my dad did for me and the things my husband is doing for our children…. memories. I would LOVE to have a copy sitting on my old rustic coffee table.

  10. Cyndy Elsden

    Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this post and even went to the site for the virtual tour. I am considering visiting there next summer. Thanks for sharing!!!

  13. Pam

    Wonderful story. Thank you Layla for bringing us this treat this week. I would love this book.

  14. Marnita Parry

    What a beautiful moving tribute to a father. My father was very much like Tom Surratt, in that he could find a purpose for everything. Thanks for sharing.

  18. Beth

    The story brings back childhood memories of visits to Minnesota.
    Would love to win this book!

  20. Charlene Lucas

    I love stumbling across a story that touches the heart, like this one. It has the power to change my normal day by causing me to think back to happy days spent with family that are missed and no longer here. Boy-but what great memories they left to be treasured.

  22. Mis

    I can has…? *sweet smile* (Don’t you just love it when you pick things up from a precious kidlet…? “I can has…?’ with a sweet smile makes my heart squee!)

  23. Shawn

    I love her message! I too see the beauty in old things and wish more people believed the same way!!! Love it and her wonderful words!

  25. Shellaine

    I’m sucked in. Even if I don’t win I think I’ll have to get my hands on this book 🙂

  27. Patty Page

    I am a person who has a hard time driving by a trash pile and not stopping to look for treasure! I would love to have a copy of A Very Modest Cottage! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures & story!

  35. Claire

    Awesome! We have a large family and a family camp would be ideal. Maybe someday!

  36. Shauna

    Layla! I already wanted this book, because of the ad I saw in Country Living…and now you’re doing all these wonderful Wandawega posts! The camp looks so fun, and hopefully I will get a chance to visit in my lifetime.

  38. Jane )'Malley

    I loved the variety of ideas, from the fishing lures as art to the cozy camp blanket upholstered chairs.

  39. Diana

    What a beautiful tribute to her father.. and her family! I would love to read this book!! What an awesome thing to have something so precious in your family and to be able to share it with others!.. I have been thinking a lot about the whole “have to have new” concept lately and have a mix of new and “used” things. I treasure both, but the used/hand-me-downs are what connect us to our past and keep our future generations in touch with their family and history! … Thanks Layla for bringing this to our attention!
    Diana

  40. Chris

    I love the book! So heartfelt and inspirational. It reminds me of my husband because he can fix anything. In fact one of our family themes is, “My dad can fix anything.” Love, love love the book. I also “Wannatagota” Wandawega.

  41. Barbara

    I love this story. This is an old fantasy of mine. I’d love a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway. Love your blog!

  42. Amy Poole

    I’m in the process of renovating a small cottage myself on a small lake (Lime Lake) in Cattaraugus County in Western NY. Loved all the ideas in this blog.

  44. Dawn

    Oh my… I couldn’t help but shed a tear while smiling so big. Potential… I can’t help but truly believe it can be found in anything and anyone. I would adore a copy of this book. Thank you for this post!

  47. Heather

    I’m from WI, so this camp makes me so happy! I love that my state has so many amazing people and places like this.

  48. Katie

    This book caught my eye a while ago in an issue of Country Living. I’ve had it on my Amazon wishlist for a while and would love a copy!