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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. Miss Kitty

    Thanks for posting that lovely tribute (and GREAT images). I would love to have that book too! Hey, I live in Montgomery if you ever need local yokels.

  3. Nicki Hammon

    This cottage is so lovely. I share the same dream. A place where my family and I can live simply, close to nature. I have a small 50’s cottage, but it’s in a subdivision. Someday I’ll have some land to enjoy and explore.

  7. Elizabeth

    This is such a beautiful post would love to win and give the book to my sister who loves old cottage’s and lakes since we grew up in michigan surrounded by the great lakes. With a little vision and hope and a dash of faith anything can be beautiful once again…

  9. Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs

    I’ve seen this book advertised and was so intrigued by the project. After reading this post from the author about her dad, I had tears in my eyes. So many of these “fix it up” beliefs also describe some of my family members.
    I would love a copy of this book. The inspiration contained therein would give many hours of wonderful feelings I’m sure.

  10. Debra Hamsley

    “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.” Wait, are you talking about discarded posessions or the people who owned them. Everything has a story and it is gratifying to refurbish them and to feel a connection to previous owners, to believe in them. This book and article has been an inspiration to plunge into creating a guest room full of refinished handed down furniture from my parents and grandparents to remember their stories.

  14. Amy Borden

    So inspiring to see a beautiful transformation of items once deemed useless! Nothing or no one is ever beyond repair

  17. Geri fom Vermont

    Such an inspiration…would love to own/see this great looking piece of art!

  18. Anita

    I’d love to win this book! The story is so sweet, and the transformations that have been made are remarkable!

  20. DanielleG

    In a world where we were are constantly seeking something newer, better, and faster, this inspirational story makes you want to stop for a minute and appreciate the items that are offering to share their story with us.

  21. Vicki Childress

    What a sweet story and honor to your father! Not only did he cherish memories of what was but what could be with his vision of the future memories yet to be made.

    People like him have always inspired me. Hard-working, make-do kind of people! I love them and hope to have had some of their character rub off on me.

    Hope I am fortunate enough to win this!!!!

  26. Christy

    The Wandawega book looks like it would be perfect for my coffee table! Looks like a fun place!

  27. Allyson

    Oh what lovely retreat! I would love a copy of this book. She is my kind of person, seeing the potential in everything around her. I have a hard time pulling weeds in my flower beds cause some of them have such pretty little flowers.

  28. Sonda Havens

    I really, really enjoyed the article! Makes me want to dream more and work to make those dreams come true!

  29. Janna

    I would love to read this book! And of course, I want to vacation at Camp Wandawega – yesterday’s post and today’s are breathtaking!!!

  30. Natali

    This was a beautiful essay about her dad, totally inspired me to write down my feelings for my own dad!

  33. cindy

    These cabins remind me of my grandparents Iowa farmhouse. Mostly money was spent on parts to fix things not to buy new. My Dad could fix anything and I chose a husband who can also. (Is there any other kind? Not in my book.) This book would spend much time in my hands and on my coffee table!!

  34. Karyn J Willis

    Inspiring. We too have an old, quirky farmhouse with a beautiful view of Puget Sound in WA state. Time and again people will say “why don’t you just tear that place down and build something brand new?” Many years of memories would be impossible to tear down for our family and it’s nice to know there are so many people out there that feel the same about the “old places”.

  37. Heather Travis

    Love your blog, love this post on the cottage – am totally inspired to get to work on some projects around the house:)

  43. Lisa

    Wondering if I could take up residence in one of the little cottages? Would so enjoy a summer camp for adults!!

  45. Sarah

    Totally beautiful. Makes me remember that our country can be great with people who take the time and effort to create and believe.

  46. ms.bb

    This post is amazing and I would love to have a kindred spirit’s book like hers in my beach bungalow- my “daddy’s hands” made my beach bungalow dream a reality- yep, with hope and a hammer.

  48. Dianna

    Love the idea of taking something that feels abandoned and infusing love and life back into it. Sometimes even we people need the same thing.

    would love to win the book as the smallish budgets used will inspire us all.