*Wild roses, birdsong, and a heart full of thanks.*

As I write this post, I’m walking through the forest at our garden cottage.

The birds are singing their glorious songs, the trees are blooming, and I can smell spring on the wind. All I can think is—how incredible is this? How blessed am I to live like this?

This Isn’t an Escape. It’s Just Life.

Our garden cottage isn’t a fancy retreat or some vacation home in the tropics. It’s just a few hours away, tucked into the Slovak countryside. In Slovakia, many people have cottages like this—it’s part of life here.

The cottage itself is currently nothing special in terms of design or renovation, but to me, it’s something deeply sacred.

Sure, I still wish for things I can’t have. But I’m learning to keep my heart fixed on what God has given me—and He has given me so much.

Wild Roses and Neighbors

Right now, all the wild roses are blooming, and it’s the prettiest sight—soft pink petals line the roads and fill every corner of the hills. I’m soaking it in with every step.

I’ve also started meeting the locals—usually when I see someone carrying flowers or gathering herbs on their walks. Of course, I have to stop and take a photo, and that’s how I end up meeting neighbors and making connections.

Just now, as I’m writing this, I looked down and found a four-leaf clover. I wasn’t even looking—just another little wink from God.

Plans and Progress

Today’s tasks at the garden cottage included:

– spray painting a chair from Babicka

– planting another rose

– watering all of the roses already in the ground

Luboš did such a good job creating a watering system for us—we don’t have a well yet, but we’re making do with rainwater for now. We’re planning to dig the well later this summer.

One of our outdoor tables also needs to be replaced—it rotted over the winter. And of course, I still feel the loss of the vineyard deeply. But now that it’s gone, I can also see the invitation to build beauty in new ways.