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)
I love the legacy of dreams that we pass on to our families. And that book seems just like that!! Thanks for sharing; love it:)
I love your blog and this entry on cottages is very fun for me as my husband of 49 years is now building me a 10 x 10 cottage in our backyard…for my little retreat and to have tea parties with our 20 grandchildren. A “wee cottage” of my own has been my dream since I was a child…and my husband announced to me one day that he had a plan and was going to do it. It is looking amazing! He’s installing the pine tongue-and-groove paneling today. FUN!
SO inspired. That is how I have felt after reading and viewing the pictures of the past 2 day’s posts.
I’m so in love with small homes right now. Hoping to sell our big one and move into a small bungalow we had moved from 20 miles down the road (the highway was being widened and the house had to go). We reno’d it and are currently renting it out but long to sell the ‘big” house and move into the little one.
I would LOVE to win this beauty!!
The book looks great. Glad you are doing this series of posts.
oh, I can’t even believe what a charming, beautiful place….Love it!
If I do not win it, I will be buying it. Can’t wait to see it.
Would love a copy of this book. The theme of my life has been “Something From Nothing” for many years as I’ve created and recreated many an ugly duckling into a swan. I find so much joy in doing so and now am honored as my adult daughters are doing the same. Sounds like Tereasa and I think alike!
This looks like such an inspirational book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Wow what a wonderful job she did , you just want to hang out at there place for the rest of you life ! This book is so inspiring .
Thanks for the giveaway .
I live in WI!! this is not too far away – I wanna go there!!! She is so cool. So inspirational (like you guys)…thanks for introducing us to her and for the chance to win her book!
Water works here….that was so sweet. I would love to read more of the book, and the photographs look beautiful too. I spent 3 hours on line last night trying to find a similar real estate (but in the South) that we might consider purchasing to do as she has done….no luck yet. Doesn’t she have another book out now…her Found, Flea, or Free?
One of my all time favorite posts!
This is such a lovely story. Would love to have such a source of inspiration and hope by my side 🙂
I feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit!
It always saddens me to see an abandoned old truck or little country house. I find myself picturing the memories once shared in them and feel a sense of obligation to resurrect them to their original glory.
Perhaps once day when our children are grown, We’ll find a way to rescue our very own little country cottage. In the meantime, I’ll continue to daydream..
Such a pretty little book,.. 🙂 great to read over and over and share!
I’m officially obsessed with Camp Wandawega. I need one of my own. I’ve always had a dream of having my own lake house, but every summer and fall I yearn for camp and retreats. What a perfect combination of the two!
A great book full of all the charms that life can offer! Thanks! Susan
What a beautiful lakeside retreat. This book might inspire our own decorating adventures for our rustic family cottage in Dorset, Ontario. What a great reminder that beauty lies in life’s simple pleasures- we don’t need overpriced resorts to have family fun.
This book looks lovely, I would love to own a copy!
This book looks awesome. I would love to have a copy of it.
Gorgeous book and lovely post..Thanks for the chance..xx
Such a wonderful tribute to a man who meant so much to her.
Love this post! Aren’t dads the greatest?
Love it! Can’t wait to read more!
We enjoyed this post so much and would love to visit there! This is what it’s all about, looking at something that is old, having a desire to keep it and sharing it with others! Thanks for this wonderful site!
I would love to have this book… I will definitely buy it if I do not win it!
This story is so inspiring and I’d love to read the book. Actually, I’d love to visit!
What a sweet tribute to a father. They are so valuable in our lives. I am truly inspired by what Tereasa and her hubby did with their lake-side get away. And on a small budget too. I can look at those photos and imagine taking a nap on the porch and listening to the waves at the water’s edge. Thank you for sharing this with us!
I would love to win this!
What a wonderful book. Sign me up for a chance. Thanks!
Beautiful story and pictures…would love to win this book.
Thanks!
Lovely!! Old things like old loved ones should never be forgotten or given up on. They both have a life and a history that we can learn from!
Love the blog,
Barb
So inspiring! I’m a Minnesota girl transplanted to Colorado and in need of that lakeside cottage decor. Thanx for the inspiration, Molly.
I have always loved cottages and dream of one day owning a house by a lake, but I was especially touched by Tereasa’s post about her father. My dad was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and it has made me appreciate more than ever all that he has taught me about life and brought to my life.
Love all the photos and the quote by her father. I’d love to win a copy of the book!!
I would absolutely love to win the copy of this book. I’m thoroughly intrigued and only slightly envious! What a gorgeous undertaking…and what an experience! Thank you for the opportunity.
These cottages are my dream! I would love to own one of my own and fix it up just the way she did. So charming and inviting.
What a sweet cottage! I’m sure the whole book is wonderful!
Lovely story… Lovely looking book! Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings!
I feel like I’ve been virtually transported to Camp Wandawega! Such a beautiful place and an even more beautiful story of how it came to be. I’d love a copy of the book!!
Her styling on a budget is inspiring! I LOVE her style too! I would love to see more to get insipiration to do more in my home!
The lake is a GORGEOUS place! Looking at the photos you can see how restorative a visit would be!
A beautiful way to look through the lens of a stranger! …this book is on my Christmas Wish List (yes, early I know!)!
Thanks for sharing!
I love this post! It brings back so many childhood memories of playing at the island house in the San Juan Islands. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I loved yesterday’s post – the camp looks so welcoming and totally a place where you could relax. Lovely story today too.
I’d love to win this book – thank’s for the opportunity!
~Sam
I would love a copy of the book!
The cottage is so fun! I would love to read about it and how she transformed it.
I LOVE THIS!!! I live just a half an hour from Elkhorn – and will be going there this Sunday for a flea market!!! I would love to see this place up close and personal! Absolutely adorable and dream come true for them, I’m sure. How fun would this be to have such a great place to escape to?!
Terry
Hi
My sister led me to your blog and I’ve been smitten ever since.
I am moved by your tender observations like your video of your mother-in-law’s porch that was so endearing.
I look forward to opening my mail and finding the e-mails from TLC.
Thank you for creating such a bright spot in the chaos around us.
Good luck with all that you dream to accomplish.
P.S., the excerpts from the book are inspiring!
Jenine