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 post. I need her inspiration!
what a touching post. so sweet.
Love it –
How inspiring! I would love a copy of this book 🙂
What a wonderful story and makeover!
Beautiful restoration work! I’d love to read the book – thanks for the chance to win.
What a great (and heartwarming) little book! Hoping I win!
xoxo,
Jess
What a beautiful perspective! Tom left a beautiful legacy to his family…he would be proud.
We renovated a rundown Cottage and now its a beautiful getaway and it just so happens to be beside my brothers cottage and my parents cottage so lots of fun family time … The book looks amazing and inpirational would love to get a copy…
What a WONDERFUL man. Loved the sneak peek!
Luv this…….have seen articles about.
I would love a chance to win this book. We own a really old old home in a lovely street and at times it is hard to maintain focus that we can make this old house into our dream home one day. This book could be just what I need. Thanks for the chance to win x Janelle
This touched my heart….I LOVE to see something made of nothing!
I was interested in the cottage before, but when I read the excerpt – Wow! I would love to win a copy!
What a beautiful tribute to her dad! Lovely book, also. Would love a copy of it!
I was so inspired by yesterday’s post and pictures. And today’s post just tugged at my heart strings. Even if I don’t win this giveaway, I’m going to get the book. 🙂 It looks lovely. I’ve seen it mentioned somewhere else too a while back. BH&G maybe? Country Living?
I just re-looked and noticed it says A Country Living Book. 🙂 That must be where I saw it.
I love what she and hubby have done with the whole place – not just that little cottage……Pam
Wish I could do somethign like this! Can’t wait to see this book.
Fantastic give-a-way!!!
Don’t look at something for what it is, but for what it can be. Treasures then you will find.
I would love a copy! Such creative decor.
Our family had an old log cabin on Artist’s Island at Indian Lake Ohio for many years. You are bringing back so many wonderful memories!
Thanks!
Beautiful story. And even better that it is from Wisconsin, where I live! Thank you for sharing!
I have found happiness in recycling!! Is that a strange thing to say? It gives me joy to repurpose and reuse!
“There is no such thing as too far gone.” Should definately be a recycling motto! Loving Wandawega week!
Lovely. Inspired to tackle that old jelly cupboard from my grandmother’s basement.
That is lovely!
Such a beautiful legacy and I’d love to have a copy of this book!
Oh my goodness! This brought tears to my eyes and determination to my heart.
what a beautiful sentiment ” . . . with hope and a hammer . . . ” and a moving post. I would cherish a copy of her book and I would love to see the modest cottage in person some day. Thanks for the opportunity to win Layla and Kevin – have a beautiful day!
Would love, love, love a copy of this book. I am just enamored with this entire story!
What a beautiful, touching story! Reminds me of my beloved grandaddy! LOVE your blog and this book, too!
The cottages and guest house are so lovely. I can just see a huge family or several sets of frends enjoying a vacation there together. Since we’re US military stationed overseas and can’t get there anytime soon, I’d settle for a copy of her book! 🙂 Great giveaway!!
Wow, just that excerpt brought a tear to my eye. Hubby and I feel the same way about a lot of shabby things, including a property we just bought that has seen better days. Would love to read the entire book.
Love the renovated cottages!
Grew up going to the UP of Michigan and would love to do something similar there!
oh soo sweet!! love it!!
Yes! I want to win that book! Yes, I want to take my family there next summer!
xoxo michele
i write this with tears in my eyes…my mom was that kind of person too. she created a family nest…the cottage. she’s been gone 9 years and we are so grateful to have a place to go that was made with Nanny’s love. She would love to know that grandbabies she never met are surrounded by all that she was…
I would love a copy for our cottage xo
I want to go to adult camp!!
Looks like a great book!
I have enjoyed these posts and seeing the way she uses “found” treasures to decorate…my dad was an auctioneer and we had lots of fun discovering things that had been hidden away in boxes for years. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
Love this! So inspirational!
Can hardly wait to get my hands on this book. Win it or buy it, it’s going to be in my library. I’m inspired.
Here’s to people who fix instead of toss and look for the beauty beyond the surface.
Seriously, my kind of place! Fantastic inspiration for my “lake retreat” themed sun room.
This is a beautiful story and a beautiful book! I’d love to win a copy.
I”m in love with the story of the camp and this cottage… Wonderful!
Can I go to adult camp there?!! Pleeeease!
This is a great giveaway – the book looks awesome!
What a beautiful story! Would love a copy of the book to display in my home. Such an inspiration!
I love this post. I believe if we all thought like this there would be so many amazing more things in the world. 🙂