Wandawega Blog Archive

Our TOP 9 this year was not about selfies and vacas – surprisingly, it was about connecting people, through shared experiences. The post that summarized the year best for us was about a man (center pic, link below) who died decades ago, who we never met. But we became the benefactors of something he did. (That we now want to find ways to pay forward)2022, You gave us so many gifts of growth by every measure, and we are damn grateful. 2023, were ready for ya!#yearofabundance #BuckleUPAlso, about last night (this crew )-Link to our post of Jan 27:https://www.instagram.com/p/CZPbhKBLhA8/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=

January 1, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

This has been a long time coming.We started a very special creative project this past August. We’ve been keeping it under wraps because it’s such a big undertaking for us, that we honestly didn’t know when we’d be able to complete it. (Most days I think finding and moving another old cabin to Camp is easier to pull off).I managed to talk my girl @bremariegraz founder of one of my design crush magazines Fellow magazine . )to help bring it to life. Yesterday was the best creative day here – poring over photography, ideas, & stories. Tearing things up, starting again, brainstorming new creative solutions… embracing the yes, and.So much of the creative community who have passed through these gates have contributed a wealth of photos, moments, memories, and stories; so we’re pretty excited to get to share this with everyone in the coming months to help kick off some new things in 2023.Part of a quote from Frank that’s been our mantra & fuel in recent months:”….Happiness lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of the creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.Digging through selects here – some of the work we are including by @prezpipe @nathanmichael @stemsandforks @garrettsweet

December 31, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

THE GREAT PURGEWho will also admit to watching the show Hoarders ?This fall, we started binge-watching The Home Edit, Get Organized, Tidying Up – all of them. CONFESSION: There are a couple rooms in the lodge basement that weve kept secret. The sign on the door says KEEP CLOSED for good reason. Up until now, this has been one of our most-neglected workspace / inventory back stock / storage/catch all spaces. We cant pinpoint the exact time that we let it get to this point.(admittedly, a combo of perpetuating bad habits, settling, procrastination, turning a blind eye all the things) But as they say, admitting it is the first step to fixing it.So 2023 is the year of setting new dreams, hopes & standards- its been all hands on deck gutting these rooms (weve donated a truck bed to thrift charity) – were down to the studs – in complete renovation mode:Trading order for chaos in this back of house(so every little thing will now have a beautiful, organized forever home) We took a team poll for what they would like in this new space, and were excited to make it happen. This remodel (among another half dozen projects that are running in parallel paths) are all part of our efforts in fresh systems & processes.Our hope for everyone out there is for them to bring their new years resolutions to fruition- to improve things in your life, whatever that looks like for you.Sending out good vibes for manifesting what you want the most. – Ours is to bring organized beauty to all of our spaces & ways of working- streamlining operations starts with a clean (beautiful) slate. Heres to embracing fresh starts with joy creating new spaces, to be filled with happy plans, people & products.With a side of coffee. #sparkjoy

December 30, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

This film Winters Warmth (shot here by @qwharton) was the Inspiration for our new cedar barrel Camp Sauna. (Watch for the moment she steps out of the temp sauna and does a full trust fall into the snow)were working from the lodge kitchen this morning (and its like a second Christmas) as were unboxing all the accessories that have arrived for it all the things to outfit it for everything from aromatherapy to music.Cant wait to get it finished & fired up.First pic: @oolretaw

December 29, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Supporting small business Back home,David almost left town with this 1976 F250. (it was parked in front of my sister & BILs boot store- one of the rotation of store mascots)Crowes Boot & Shoe is tucked into a former 1920s Buick-turned-tractor-dealership in the southern Illinois town of Carlinville (Pop.6000).A half dozen years ago, my little sister Holly & her husband Adam bought three storefront windows, and the adjoining 1800s shop/ building (rent it out) and another historic brick building behind them known as the combine shedTheyve repurposed it all to a dream small business of Main Street Americana.They are Mom & pop shop, proudly stocking 30 brands of everything that the locals cant get Walmart (the Goliath that has shuttered every small shoe store in town)Their whole brick compound sits right on Main Street- where they keep the local trade workers outfitted in boots for :Carpenters.Lineman. Mechanics.Arborists.Contractors & more (These have been the trades of my family for generations, whove stayed loyal to life in rural Illinois).They also stock boots for the rest of us (My favorite @DannerBoots and Davids daily @RedwingShoes came from Crowes.)Its long been said that when you support a small home town business, you arent helping a CEO buy his 4th beach vacation house. Youre helping to paying for piano lessons & little league jerseys. For mortgages & college funds. Its true. Heres to the small shops – like my sisters – that keep us outfitted.And to continuing our support of them all the days after the holidays- when they need it most. -They appreciate their supporters, and shoot portraits of many their hometown regulars (scroll to meet some of them) #shopsmall #crowebootandshoeco

December 27, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Early Christmas present!!(Sneak peek!!)Weve always wanted a cedar barrel sauna – the kind that can fit four guests and use all year. And now Its almost finished! (First pic from the doorway – it overlooks the lake- second pic shows its current perch near the Hillhouse )Our fav part:The full smoked amber dome on the side end to frame the view overlooking camp (and the lake in the distance)Just in time to use this (blizzard) winter.Now the fun part: shopping to outfit it with accessories & gear.What are we missing??Towels Those weird retro hatsRadioAromatherapy dish Suana kit (ladle & bucket )Thermometer ???Cant wait to break it in & share!!!We havent decided its final forever spot on the grounds, but luckily we dont have to (its under 1k lbs so we can just move it around with the tractor).

December 24, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

This is for all my fellow holiday crafters.So were knee-deep revamping the new craft selections in our C.C,C. (Camp Craft Cabin) And its got me thinking about seasonal versions – so I started digging back into favorite holiday craft projects Ive done for camp in Christmass past:So to kick it off early, sharing this Camp Holiday Edition some of my favorites that were made on assignment or in partnership with brands and magazines that we love: @Anthropologie @Better homes and gardens @Sweet Paul, Flea Market Style Magazine, Glossed & Found HERE:No.1: Custom local syrup (signed & numbered bottles wrapped in local prohibition era newspaper).No.2: Collab with @Anthropologie – mens holiday gift box candle.No.3: Custom PBN Holiday wrapping paper for a mag story .No.4: Evergreen tablescape for flea Market style mag.No.5: Graphite lllustration of my favorite hometown Victorian a for holiday card .No.6: Drawing / leaf decor craft project for Sweet Paul magazine.No.7: PBN Stationary design commission for press feature.No.8: New Years cocktail recipe for a Glossed & Found feature .No.9: Packaging for Maple syrup year II ( in custom wooden crates with recipes books).No.10: Christmas cards (printed felt lined wooden shields, wool liners). We are endlessly inspired by the friends who are makers – and makers whove become friends. One of my new years resolutions is to take the time to make more of the little handmade things. The hand crafted things. Its all part of ongoing research to bring these opportunities to our guests in seasons to come.More to come !

December 22, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

A blizzard is coming.So we are wrapping this up just in the nick of time -Welcome to our new little RANGER STATION. AKA: our new groundskeepers mobile HQ Weve been asked more than once what this little building is thats parked ij the back acres at our trail head – this is the best way we know how to describe it:Imagine a mobile 1940s National Park Ranger Station (meets Wes Moonrise set) to haul, hold, & hide camps machines/gear that help keep this place runningItll also serve a few other duties:hikers trails way finding stationcamp counselor hang out grounds bulletin board We are finishing outfitting then inside & stocking it up- (looking for vintage gear lockers still) but for now its in winter hibernation, keeping our camp gear safe from this blizzard that we read is on the way. During the high season, we can pull it from location to location, to meet the needs of our never-ending project list. While its registered and licensed, were not planning any road trips : )

December 21, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt