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)
How AMAZING and inspirational! The amount of love put into this transformation shines through the photos. Makes me want to see this place in person! Dreams do come true if you pursue them!!
Very inspirational! Would love a copy of her book!
I dream of escaping to a cottage on a lake. This book would be so inspiring!
so inspirational!
Wow. that was beautifully written and a good reminder. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful and inspiring.
This is beautiful! I am having a garage sale this week because I believe in the same principal….nothing should go to waste or be thrown into dumps if someone can still use it. Thank you for showing this wonderful project on your website!
They are living my DREAM! Everytime I see a ramshackle place I dream about how I can bring it back to life. I am just waiting for the means & the nagging to not go away.
Since I live in Chicago, it’s just a short jump to visit the “camp”. Would just love to but I’ll be just as happy with the book!!
XO,
Jane
So inspirational. Just like you and Kevin! I would love a copy of this book!
The book looks wonderful! What beautiful pictures!
Would love to have a copy of the book. Would also love to stay at the Wandawega Resort!!
Ah how neat – I am smitten with this resort and the restored cottage. Makes me think twice about tearing down our old cabin.
I would love to win a copy!!
Totally inspirational! I just love old homes and sheds, out buildings and furniture! That book looks fabulous!
So sweet! I, of course, would LOVE to win the giveaway and I am so very thankful for your wonderful blog!
xoxo
Mary
I love this story and would love a copy of that book!
Beautiful images and story!
What a gorgeous book. I love it when people can see “beyond”.
Nothing like a poppa’s legacy. 🙂
I wish I could do something like that! I’d love a copy of her book!
I’d love to win! Great pictures and story.
Love love love this book! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 We restore vintage cars for a living! Seen many many brought back from ‘the dead’ haha!
This book sounds like just the inspriation I need. I’ve been so discouraged living in my older home and knowing that with the economy like it is now, I won’t be getting a new house anytime soon. I need to remember what I loved about my house when we first bought it and be inspired to make it better.
Love it!! So inspiring!
Would love to have that book….
Loved this post…growing up in Wisconsin and now living in Minnesota it is as beautiful as it looks. The love that went into this cottage is awesome..the book looks fantastic!!
This brought tears to my eyes as I’m reminded of my grandfather. He was definitely of the same breed as her father and could make anything go, shine, and do work. My husband and I live in his house now and hope to pass on this beautiful tradition. I would love to read this book!
Absolutely lovely.
Inspiring.
Moving.
My husband and I want to buy an old run down house with lots of potential within the next year. Since the market is so low, a lot of our family is telling us to just buy new bc it’s so inexpensive, but none of those new homes have the character and history that we are looking for. Love this!!
That passage gave me goosebumps! How beautifully written. I’m not very handy but I’m sure this book would inspire me to try my hand at some restoration.
Tom sounds a lot like my Dad. He can fix anything, appliances, Barbies, buildings, you name it. I’ve never paid for a car repair in my life and only buy cars he approves of – then he can fix them for me when something goes wrong and is always available for road side assistance. Reading Teresa’s words brought a tear to my eye. My Dad is still with us and I can’t imagine a day he won’t be, nor do I want to try. I’m sure her Dad is very proud of all she’s accomplished.
I dream of taking on a project like this someday, and it has to be a cottage. What a wonderful legacy she’s began for her family!
Thank you for this post!
Cheryl F.
The photos of the cottage restorations are inspiring – everything is so welcoming and fresh! The story of her father is equally moving. I cant wait to read every page!
Sounds like a truly inspirational book! I’m already inspired by these posts! Thank you for sharing!
That is so sweet 🙂
I love this! The pictures for the past two days have been so inspiring! I would love to have a copy of the book too. Thanks for sharing such a great post!
Absolutely lovely.
Moving.
Inspiring.
This brought back so many memories of my precious Dad…..He would have done anything to help me with projects like this. Our home in Pennsylvania ( which we bought 4 years ago – to retire to) is on an acre of land, surrounded mostly by woods. There is a small log cabin ready to fall apart in our back yard. The former owners were going to tear it down but I convinced them to let it stand because I thought I could restore it, but I don’t see this happening. I wish someone could see the beauty in it like I do – if I were younger and my Dad were here I know we would tackle it together. I would love to read this book!
How awesome to read about this couple and their camp. Very inspiring! I would love to continue to read their story.
Beautiful words…love it.
This book stirs up so many memories of my own family vacations, when I was the young one.
He sounds like he was a lovely man. I would love this book, it’s so funny, my husband and I have been looking at wee homes lately!
Beautiful and amazing!
Love this, love the camp, love it all!
What a great inspirational story. I would love to read this book!
Such an inspiring post. I too have a cottage in Wisconsin and a few buildings with interesting old stuff needing some restoration…so fun to think about all the possibilities and to dream of creating a respite for family and friends.
Love! Love! Love!
Very cool! I would love to go hang out there! 🙂
I loved yesterday’s post and this book looks great! Thanks for the chance.
LOVE this site. Would be so great if I got a copy of the book.
Thanks!