Wandawega Blog Archive

Dear Winter,Where are you? Please come back, its almost NYE -The icerink is built and ready for you to come freeze it! . (We dont want another tb to faux snow like for this photo shoot back in August). These kids were champs – by seeing them in these shots, you wouldnt know that it was 95 degrees.Love,Camp…… @abercrombiekids

December 29, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

An OPEN(tree)HOUSE!Inspired by a surprise this Christmas..We were shopping for Christmas presents last week when Charlie came across the new treehouse at @Target in our fav Hearth & Home section from @Magnolia. (She thought that they had started selling the Wandawega treehouse miniature).We could see how she might think they are similar.But, theirs is far more affordable. And comes with more furniture. And is from our design crushes @joannagaines & @chipgaines . We hope the grand scale they – and Target – operate at will help spread the joy of treehouses far and wide. (We are grateful to still make just enough on the sales of ours to keep the real treehouse painted : )I explained to Charlie that the biggest difference is that the Wandawega @crateandkids version is a replica miniature of the treehouse that was built by volunteers (as a memorial for her grandpa). So she had an idea:An openTREEhouse PLAYDATE this spring Dear Parents (who have gifted their kiddos our camp treehouse), Charlie is extending a personal invitation for a tour of the real one for your kids.She wants to share hers because at the end of the day, the world would be a better place if everyone built a treehouse (big or small). There can never be enoughespecially if we can share them with others.So thank you, @Magolia & @Target for playing & sharing- and @chelleko @jessiemaes @musingsofamamabird @olive.and.avy @bennett_young @babiekinsmag & all the other parents for sharing your pictures – it warms our hearts more than you can ever know to see children everywhere letting their imaginations run wild.Love,Camp#treehousesforall

December 28, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Bailey is five times this size now (but good luck trying to convince her that shes not a puppy). Frankie is older and wiser but still climbed up into Davids lap on Christmas Eve. (Were never gonna say no).

December 27, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Get closer.I dont know how she sneaks up on them like this but my sister @amypoturnicki s relationship when photographing woodland creatures is .Hey @natgeochannel … I think you should take notice- this is what a mom/ EMT/ self taught photographer is quietly capturing in her own back yard. #proudSis #NotYourAverageWho else can I shout this out to? Even though she only does this for fun- Wed love to see her photos more often in more places… it reminds us to look closer, and to not to fear the unknown. (*unless its bearing fangs and/ or chasing you down)@natgeo @natgeotravel @natgeowild @natgeoimagecollection @natgeoyourshot #natgeo #netgeoytravel #natgeoimagecollection #natgeouourshot

December 26, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

From our furry family member to yours…. Frankie wishes you a Merry everything.10 years ago we adopted this guy (who had come from a high kill shelter)He was a few years old and had been crated in a foster home. We were the first to answer his adoption ad after a six month wait. They tried to make him look more friendly with a home made bandana. It just made him look scared and shy..Dog parents: when you met your pup for the first time, did you somehow know they where the one you were meant to adopt as soon as you saw each other? I dont know if we can somehow have the ability to subconsciencly feel how they will become integral to life for the next dozen + years? Its hard to say for sure, but since that night when we brought him home in our laps, he’s been our loyal camp security guard / face licker / hotdog stealer / couch snuggler / guest greeter.One of the many gifts hes given us that we are grateful for this holiday is teaching Charlie compassion (hes getting so old now that he has nightmares and whimpers in his sleep – Charlie has a sixth sense for how hes feeling and jumps to rub his belly to wake him out of it: he then he licks her face and falls back asleep).You can’t tell us dogs don’t have souls.Merry everything to you and all of your family members this year – may we all get and give belly rubs when we need them most.Thank you @davidtsay for this holiday portrait of our favorite furry family member.

December 24, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Years ago when we first bought camp, an old woman showed up at our door with a brittle photo album- we came to learn that her family owned camp from the 40s to 1961 – when they sold it to the Catholic Church..She arrived full of spirit, In heels that we rarely see here and the brightest red lipstick. It was hard not to like her immediately- the kind of person you feel like youve known forever. She was straight-talking and wore her heart on her sleeve, sharing her photos and memories of this place with us. She returned every year with another family member or friend to relive her childhood -sometimes for an for an afternoon, sometimes for just an hour.It was because of her memories that we were able to recreate details of camp that we never knew existed before (awnings, stair rails, lounge benches, flower boxes and steps that had been long gone). Her stories behind the boxes of hand made textiles we found in the basement. And Fiestaware in cupboards – so many details.Her visits were always a little bittersweet as she walked the rooms where she was raised by a single dad and grandparents.For almost 15 years weve looked forward to her (usually last minute) visits..A few weeks ago- we learned that she died (very suddenly in a way that you cant shake and we fail to understand). Her name was Sam..This holiday season were feeling especially nostalgic. We still set the same tables with the same dishes (shown here for her birthday party &family holiday dinners 70 years ago). Its a reminder how fleeting youth, health and life is.Camp is quiet in the snow season. Looking through her photos now. We celebrate Sams life and all of her good memories – that have left a lasting impression in these walls and in us.It makes us feel especially aware and grateful for our health, friends & the love of our families.If you know someone who you think may be struggling this holiday season – dont wait to reach out to them.I read this last week & it keeps popping up- I wish there was a way to know youre living in the good old days before youve actually left them. So heres to living in the good old days everyday & helping others do the same.

December 22, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

When we host winter dinners in the lodge, Frankface will sit next to you and stare at your plate ( so very forlorn )…he always ends up with a seat at the table. (David says no table scraps) but when you get to be a old as he is, you should be able to eat what you want & sit any damn place you want.

December 20, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt