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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

  3. lori lucas

    So simple and pure of heart. It makes me step back and remember and LOVE the words and pictures. I can’t wait to read more. Lori L

  4. Diana @ Our Vintage Home Love

    Oh, this made me cry. These are the reasons I love to build and create, for my dad. He inspired me so much and showed me that I can do anything I put my heart and mind to. I wish he was still here more than anything in the world. Thank you, Layla and Tereasa.

  5. Korey Swift

    Love this post and yesterdays too, so inspirational! Yesterday I went on the the Camp Wandawega site and decided that I must go, which is saying a lot since it is quite a trek from Geogia. I would love to have a copy of Tereasa’s book!

  6. Pam Shannon

    I’m new to your site but I have enjoyed everything you do! I would love a copy of this book. I am just amazed with the talent that you & so many others have.

  7. Lisa W.

    Fell absolutely in LOVE with the cottage in yesterdays post. I would dream to spend one night there. And todays post is so sweet, brought a tear to my eye. Thank you Layla:)

  8. Aunt Chriss

    I wish I had one tenth of the creativity and vision that people like Tereasa Surratt and Kevin and Layla have – I can only imagine how cute my home would be! Thanks for the posts and photos…I want to be there…
    love ya!

  10. Lindsey

    Yesterday’s post left me wanting to find my own diamond in the rough… I hope to someday stumble upon a place that isn’t much but with a dream it can become so much more. Well done!

  11. Just B @ Love Where You Live

    I’ve SO enjoyed both of these posts, and the wonderful tribute as well! So much hard work and love must have gone into this remarkable renovation. Thank you for sharing with us, Layla. I would love to have a copy of this wonderful book. 🙂

  13. Shannon

    I would love to win this book. Reading about it in your previous blog post was so inspirational. I loved how Teresa’s theme was ~ free-flee-found to decorate. Makes me look around my own home and go hmmmm….:)

  14. Kelly Hostetter

    We live on a 123 yr old farm with various out-buildings. Most of these have been ravaged by time to the point of dilapidation. In particular, we have an old bunk house that the hired hands used to sleep in that has oodles of potential as a little guest cabin. Would love to glean some knowledge regarding salvaging a gem like that.

  15. Rhonda Brooks

    I loved reading a bit of Tereasa’s history. It was heartwarming and right up my alley. I am the one in the family that always ‘takes’ the antique which everyone else refers to as ‘junk.’ lol. I would love to receive such a keepsake as this book.

  20. Shar Yates

    Would love to have this book. I love seeing soon to be trashed items, places, etc. repurposed, renovated or whatever it takes to bring back to life!

  21. cindy riley

    My daughter has just finished fixing up an old cottage on our property-i would love to give her this book!

  23. Melinda

    Lovely story with such an uplifting message and looks like a lovely book. I would love a chance to own a copy! Thanks for the great post and contest Layla.

  24. sharon chapman

    Yesterday your post had me spending hours pouring overall the wonderful pictures and words about this special place. I even had to map it and found it was not to far from Oconomowoc (a place I used to visit friends who lived on Three Lakes). The memories your post evoked were priceless. I grew up in MN and always loved the summers and the lakes. This wonderful place will hold do many dear memories for the people who visit and stay there. I would love to travel there to peaceful memories.
    Now today we hear about her father who was so much like mine. I had to shed a tear or two. Wonderful post. Thank you!

  30. Megan

    Beautiful. I got teary eyed reading it. I would love to read about the perseverance and hope that got that cottage going!!

  32. jan lyden

    I love the cottage decorating and the end product of all of her efforts…. very creative!!!

  36. Terry McClung

    People are so inspiring and amazing. Love this book and the story it tells….Blessings

  39. njpath

    sweet teariness for tom’s story – this book’s been on my wish list for awhile now

  43. maria moussavi

    Oh, I would love to win! Ever since I saw the movie “Indian Summer” I dreamed of having a cabin along a lake & have all our family & friends gather there. what a dream come true! disneyland for adults 🙂

  48. Regina

    Great family values! I hope to be able to instil a similar spirit into my son (now 3). The cottage and the place around it are enchanting. Such a beautiful place! Would love to win the book.