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)
Beautiful book and wonderful post! That would make a perfect addition to my collection of design and architecture books!
So lovely! Sign me up!
She does a lovely job making something drab into fab. Would love to have her book!
Awwwh, you knew that would appeal to our vintage-lovin’ hearts!
Very inspirational words about her cherished father. Special fathers are a gift to their children. I think about my departed dad every day. He instilled his wonderful values and work ethic in all six of his children. I miss him dearly!
Would love to read this book. Would love to have a cottage on a lake or cabin in the woods someday to restore.
what a lovely post! I am looking forward to all the posts this week. buying a campground like that is a dream come true. Would love to read this book.
Beautiful story! Looks like an awesome book too!
AWESOME… how cool to have a WHOLE CAMP and bring it back to life!!!! all out of love…. if those trees could talk! I want to go!
Would love to have this book!
I work in an English Department office.
I love to read.
I would love to win this book.
The cottage is such an inspiring place–I want one!
I would love to win a copy of the book. We are in Wisconsin and I think I’ve talked my hubby into a trip to Wandawega! 🙂 Thanks for being awesome Layla! ♥
“With hope, there is always a way,” is a motto to live by — and not just about fixing old, discarded items. What a lovely story from Tereasa. Thank you for sharing it.
Oh – I want a camp just like that one!
What a magical place!!
What an inspiration!
I love stories about bringing new life to old things….whether it be furniture, buildings or clothing. I think we are often too quick to toss aside something that is old and replace it with something new…
Thanks so much for sharing this post! What an inspiration for all of us that love turning something “unwanted” into something beautiful again!! 🙂
Loved this post, so interesting. I love old, and distressed things so fun….Would love to see the book.
How amazing is that property?! I am enthralled by this project and what this couple has accomplished. Simply dreamy to me…I would love a copy of their book.
Oh to have a little cottage on a lake and a “daddy” like that … wonderful
I love the cottage. It looks so relaxing. : )
My husband runs several Scout camps in Canada, and we are lucky enough to live on site at one of them. These posts have me planning and dreaming of decorating our little Panabode cabin!
I am so inspired by the pictures of Tereasa”s book. I would love to be chosen to have a copy of my very own!
Love it!
What a lovely tribute. Reminds me of my Grandfather Hurst, the original recycler.
That is a beautiful snippet, would love to read the rest of the book : )
Love the post! Would love a copy of the book!
This is my dream!
Sweet tribute to her father!
wow i would love to win please put my name in the giveway. [email protected]
Beautiful post and tribute to her father. Like her father, mine has instilled in me a love for all things old…. maybe that is why I am a historic preservation consultant! I love reading your blog! KMO
That entire property would be my dream! I love the decorating style and how they have transformed the entire place. Would absolutely love a copy of this book. Thanks so much for the chance to win it 🙂
What a beautiful message! I would love to win this book!
Love, love, love their cozy litte cottage! I need one! :o)
Such a bittersweet story! I love her words though…and I would love to read more of them if I get the chance to win a copy! It’s books like that that inspire you to be more than you are…and do more than you do…and I love it!
Hugs,
Gail
Love your site! The book looks like just the thing dreams are made of. I just finished a book about a family and the memories made at their summer cottage, makes me want my own. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
Camp Wandawega looks like a great place and it brings memories of my summer vacations on Drummond Island, MI. Would love to win the book and hope to visit the camp someday.
Thanks for the chance at winning this great book. What an inspiring post.
– Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT com
I would love this book. I knew I would yesterday. Today after reading your post, I am in tears. As myhusband and I close in and wrap up inspections of our next project home and our 3rd baby on the way, we are hoping my dad (who always has a hammer or screw driver in hand) is around to see both. However, our new family project is his chemo treatments, and we are fixing him up as best we can! What a special tribute to her dad!
I remember seeing an article about The Modest Cottage in Country Living last year I think and there was an ad for the book in the August mag. I’d love to win a copy but if I don’t I think I’ll buy it!
Thanks!
i would LOVE to win this book…the northwoods are in my blood!!
chris
Very touching….I would love to have the book and be inspired to not give up on my projects when they seem impossible!
Wishing and hoping to read this book. I, too, love a lost cause!
Just discovered your site after reading Pioneer Woman’s blog. So glad I found you. Would love a copy of your book. Can’t get enough of this!
Wonderful and lovely seem fitting words for both the cottage and the family! I would love to get a copy of this book……….thanks for posting this.
This book sounds so inspirational and looks beautiful! I hope to win it. 🙂 That’s for the chance to try.
Love it.
Loved yesteday’s post. Would just love to have a copy of this book. Thank you!