Wandawega Blog Archive

The house piano.Guests dont seem to mind that its 110 year old keys are out of tune.All are welcome, toddlers to those at 2 am belting out Cohen’s Hallelujah.15 years ago when we got camp, it was one of the first things we wanted.We answered a local ad in the paper for FREE PIANO. must move it on your own. It took five of us, a flatbed trailer, a creeper, 2 dollies & 3 hours.We found out who it belonged to -Its owner had recently passed away- who had been an instructor at The University of Wisconsin.Having dedicated her entire lifetime teaching kids a skill that would serve them for their own lifetimes,she retired. The school gave her the piano to take home. Its pretty beat up, we could have found a way nicer one. But there’s something special about this one – it’s earned its patina through a century of being played.Last night, we watched a new film that gave me a new perspective on why we were attracted to this one (which makes no sense since none of us can play).Its here to share & so others can be inspired to share. Or learn. Or just pound keys. It doesn’t matter.Because its never been about the piano – its the time people spend with each other when they are playing it.So…if you dont find yourself crying when you watch SOUL you may not have one. It’s the make-you-ugly-happy-cry kind.Because whether youre ready or not, its gonna make you question your purpose in life. (Literally, what is your purpose & spark – who inspires you and what do you do that inspires others; how you play a role in the virtuous cycle).We have a feeling that maybe our purpose has something to do with adding more pianos to camp.Things to encourage play – opportunities to share an experience with each other, where skill is irrelevant.These new pianos might take on different forms: they could end up looking like a new artist residency cabin.Or a new altar for the congregation.We don’t know yet, but invite you to share your ideas.And to come play the house piano when you visit us.We think she’s still got a long life ahead of her.1st 5 pics: our house pianolat 5 pics: fav SOUL scenes

December 26, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

…. then the Grinch raised his glass and led the Whos in a toast:TO KINDNESS AND LOVE, THE THINGS WE NEED MOST. Merry Christmas Eve from our Country Mouse tree / City Mouse tree home to yours… Love,Charlie, Frankie, David & Tereasa Camp tree by @DavidTsay Home tree by CharlieGirl

December 24, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Home away from home for the Holidays. AKA: An affordable mansion on Airbnb that you can drive to, socially distance in and need to add to your bucket list. For the first time ever (and to keep everyone safe) we cant go to my hometown to see our fam for Christmas so we ventured out to Michigan for a little social distancing staycation this week.Weve been dreaming of seeing this place forever.Our TOP 10 TO TRY when you book @farrand1854 MAKE a hot toddy & explore their 12 acres of hibernating gardens DRIVE tour of the horse farms of Amish country HIKE / tour the trails of the Latvians summer camp Garezers in three rivers (last shot) *special permission needed for this one, but you can visit @latviancentergarezers to learn how to support the mission of this non-profit BAKE chocolate chip cookies in the enormous house kitchen (they use for visiting chefs for their dinner series) PERUSE the house library of art & history books & curl up in one of their many reading nooks COOK up a pot of hot chocolate (spike with Baileys) & set up camp in front of the ancient, huge fireplace SHOP the local Amish hand made woodcrafts VISIT the Farrand pantry cookbook library & make a feast in the formal dining room (this one we just dreamed about since I cant boil an egg) EXPLORE every corner of this 167 year old (impeccably restored and decorated) estate.Jacob & James we will be back Some of Charlies fav spots in the house + couple of our photos from their beautiful feed

December 24, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Our annual camp Winter wonderland blanket is almost upon us. To answer the riddle What do you do at a summer camp in the wintertime? See todays profile. &https://tinyurl.com/y8ky2zgn* This is our winter suggestions of our nearby favorite things to do. (Hours, openings and offerings are subject to change for individual social distancing policies for each local attraction. Stay safe.) Just hanging out by the fireplace with a good book and the company of your quaranteam is also highly recommended.

December 23, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

How old were you and where did you learn to ice skate? – Little embarrassed to admit that we didnt learn until we bought camp (pushing a chair around the ice).Still not good at it, but its still fun trying.Skating on this lake is one of our favorite things to do in the winter. Weve been hoarding vintage skates from every barn sale, thrift store, yard sale, church basement sale and flea market for years just to be ready. Photos @davidtsay with @mindysegal @mrskellymariet (Always check with Wisconsin DNR to learn when its safe before you traverse out onto any lake, friends).

December 22, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Yesterday Charlie decided that she wanted to make a gingerbread version of our Aframe. I think she did a lovely job – and that someday she could make her own job title for decorating gingerbread houses if she wanted to.(Someday Id like somebody to hire me for the job title of Apprentice ornament maker)We started framing my stash of photos of strangers….(antique lodge & camp photos) as ornaments. Next step is to make real actual Adirondack style twig with teeny tiny blacksmith nail frames. but its almost Christmas, running out of time.(dont know how to make them yet- advice welcome )so these pre made frames will have to hold us over until next year… Her fav part of this season is hanging the @crateandkids (land of nod) plaid stockings that were part of the collab line. Well hang these every year until were all raisins and hopefully grandparents.

December 21, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

ON VACATION Its official! Starting today….we wont have to go back to work again until next year.We told Charlie that everyday for the next two weeks well do a holiday activity, so she asked us if we could start by floating a Christmas tree out on the lake in a canoe again.But given that the icefishers have already taken up their seasonal residency on Wandawega, I think were gonna have to wait until next season to do this again. Two whole weeks without meetings starting…now. Let the cookie binging, Frozen watching marathon, snowman army building begin When your ten-year old tells you that you taking time off work is the best present, it makes you rethink your priorities. So were closing out 2020 doing things that shell remember more than the year she didnt get to see her cousins.Looking forward to 2021 and spending time with everybody again in person Happy Holidays, everyone !!

December 20, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Love during covid.A dozen years ago, I did something Ive never done before or since.I stopped a very tall, very intimidating looking stranger on the street. He was stepping out of his Wagoneer – I asked him if he had a recco for mechanics, explaining that my husband and I had the same Jeep which was on it’s last leg.He said : Funny you ask, I was just stopped a couple days ago by a guy who asked me the same thing.(Turns out, that guy was my husband, David).We became fast friends.Patrick is a swiss army knife interior designer & architect (who also owns an insanely beautiful logging camp in the north woods, last pic).He became our architect/therapist on the #WandawegaHillhouse, helped us throw camp events, book launches, flea markets & has the thankless task of keeping me sane. Hes a modern dandy-meets-lumberjack. Brilliant & funny as hell.A few years ago, he conveniently met his soul mate (@mrbekker ) online, who inconveniently lives in the Netherlands.(Niels is a 64 Dutch speaking ray of sunshine who’s also a master gardener, travels the world for a living and makes a mean cocktail).This Christmas, these two have been a much needed reminder that even a pandemic and a 4101 mile divide cant stop love.(After 4 years growing their relationship while separated by an ocean, they just tied the knot in a tiny family ceremony in Amsterdam).Just heard this morning that Niels flight to Chicago has been cancelled, meaning that their first Christmas as Mr & Mr will now be spent together as it started, separated and online.Many of us are spending this holiday away from each other. This is the first Christmas in my lifetime I won’t get to go home to see my family.And then I look at Patrick & Niels – proof positive that we’re together even when we’re apart.Congratulations to two of my favorite humans on the planet.shots here by @DavidTsay & friends

December 19, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Every year we try something new, but our favorite Christmas tree at camp Is the one we set up on the end of our pier overlooking the icerink we plowed on the lake.We set it up with a fire pit on a dock section, lights and benches so we could night skate- it was magical and I hope Charlie remembers it when shes off to college (so she still wants to come home )It was the day Charlie learned how to skate and we had gallons of Spiked Hot chocolate with friends @mrskellymariet / @fleurinc and @mindysegal /@mindysbakery, @cargo_north @mrbekker Pic by our friend @davidtsay for @betterhomesandgardens

December 18, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt