The first dandelion always catch me by surprise. One day the grass still feels tired and colorless… and then suddenly—there it is. A small, bright sun, glowing quietly close to the ground. They are survivors. Healers. Dandelion is one of those plants that looks simple—but nutritionally, it’s surprisingly rich. Almost like a wild multivitamin growing … More Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
After what felt like an endless stretch of cold, ice, and even snow, today finally brought a little bit of relief — a warm 17°C (62°F). It almost feels unreal to step outside without that biting chill in the air. Check the pic of Marley 🙂 This change means more than just comfort. At last, … More Finally, a Warm Day
Walpurgis Night celebrated on April 30, is an old European tradition rooted in pagan spring rituals and later connected to Saint Walpurga. Last year, I wrote about this night as something magical and in-between seasons. This year, I feel it’s simpler than that. I celebrated it in my own quiet way. I walk through our … More Between Spring and Summer: My Quiet Walpurgis Night
There are days when I don’t really plan what I’m going to eat. I just open the fridge and start building something from what’s there. This tuna & egg open sandwich came exactly like that. Simple ingredients, nothing fancy—but it turned into a really satisfying lunch. The kind you don’t overthink, just eat and enjoy. … More Tuna & Egg Toast – My Quick Comfort Lunch
Lately, walking hasn’t been simple. My legs start to hurt, and I can’t just go . It seems that around 5000 steps a day might be my sweet spot. Not painless, but manageable. I need to get up to 10000 steps a day… But not sure when and how I would do that. This walk, … More Finding My Distance, Nature Inspired
I got busy potting out my tomatoes. And yes… I did it the way I always do — sowing them all together in one container instead of carefully placing one seed per pot like a more patient gardener probably would. I know the “right” way. One seed, one pot, neat and simple. But somehow I … More Potting Out Tomatoes and Seeding Flowers
Oh no… this is not what I expected to feel today! We chose to live here for a reason. Not for convenience, not for perfect roads or quick access to everything—but for the quiet. For the space. For the feeling that nature is allowed to just be. All around us, there have only been natural … More When the Field Across the Road Began to Change
Thirteen years since I first pressed “publish” with WordPress. I blogged before. Back then, I didn’t know this space would grow with me. It has seen everything — my early creativity, the busy years with little kids, the experiments, the pauses, the returns. It has quietly held my thoughts through different seasons of life. Somewhere … More Happy Anniversary
We planted 350 strawberries. Yes—three hundred and fifty! My in-laws decided it was time to start a new strawberry field, and suddenly there we were, with boxes of tiny plants waiting to go into the ground. It sounded exciting… until we stepped outside. It was freezing. Only +8°C, but the wind made it feel much … More One Freezing Day, 350 Strawberries
So… we had a decision to make. Stay home and watch every little detail, or go and live a little — carefully. We chose to go! It was Niks’ birthday (Helmī cousin) — he turned 7 — and it was one of those parties you don’t want to miss. The kind that happens outside, with … More April birthdays: Part II
April always feels full in our family. Helmī godfather, then our friend Mario, then Niks (kids cousin) and Ilze – Jānis mother. Usually it means cake, flowers, getting dressed up, and those long evenings filled with laughter and stories. This weekend was two celebrations planed – first Grandma Ilze’s birthday. At 6 PM we started … More April birthdays, four in a row
I was lucky enough to spent some time with Līga from Cēsis Medieval Castle garden. It was two-hour lecture about raised beds and kitchen gardening and seed swap. It all happend in Gulbenes Library. And somehow, it felt like a piece of the Cēsis Medieval Castles kitchen garden had travelled to us. Līga Eglīte’s kitchen … More A Medieval Castle Garden Came to Gulbene
The storks are back. I noticed them a week ago. They always return quietly, and at the beginning it looks lonely. For me it’s a small shift. A sign. In Latvia, their arrival means something deeper than just birds coming home. It feels like the land is waking up again. Spring is here for sure! … More Storks has returned!
Some things in the kitchen carry more than just coffee or biscuits. My green cups with the golden rim were never just cups. They always reminded me a little of France — french bistros. The kind of places where cups are sturdy, used every day, and part of life rather than decoration. That is Apilco! … More Apilco: Green Cups, Gold Rims, and a Memory
The raised beds are ready. Weeded, mulched, and quietly waiting — just like me. Now it’s that in-between time where everything looks prepared, but not much is happening yet. The sun teases a little, but I know better. The last frost here usually lingers until late May, and anything not frost-tolerant still has to wait. … More Waiting for Warmth
The 100th day of the year has its own quiet rule in Latvian garden — peas go into the soil. No discussions, no overthinking, no checking the forecast for the tenth time. No matter what, the peas are going in. Some years the ground is still a bit cold, some years it’s perfectly ready. It … More Peas Go In on the 100th Day
UPDATED: Here is the estimated average age of attendees Coachella ~26–28 young, trendyPinkpop ~30–40 mixed, relaxedGlastonbury ~35–40 all ages, communityBurning Man ~35–45 oldest, most intentional I’m sorry, I peeked into the wrong festival! That is why I felt old and didn’t get it! _______________________________________ I had heard of Coachella before, of course — one of … More Coachella – Justin Bieber
I’ve written about coltsfoot so many springs now. About waiting for them, about picking them, about drying them carefully for tea. It has become something like a rhythm — not a strict ritual, but a familiar return. 2017: https://latvianmom.com/2017/04/21/coltsfoot-is-blooming/2018: https://latvianmom.com/2018/04/25/coltsfoot-finally/2025: https://latvianmom.com/2025/04/02/coltsfoot-the-hidden-guardian-of-spring/ But this year feels… different. I have changed. And somehow, I feel like I … More Coltsfoot hasn’t changed. I have.
Today doesn’t feel like spring at all.It’s cold, gray, no sun… brrr. But maybe Easter isn’t always about bright light and warmth.Sometimes it’s just about holding on quietly, waiting for things to shift. As a Latvian, I couldn’t give up dyeing eggs the traditional way, using natural materials. But the kids had their own ideas … More Happy Easter
Easter weekend is already around the corner… and honestly, I’m not even done with the last one. You know that feeling when time just keeps moving, but you’re still somewhere back there, trying to catch up? That’s me right now. I don’t feel ready to jump into another “weekend mode,” another set of plans, another … More Not Ready for the Next Weekend
The weekend was supposed to be lovely… and to be fair, it really was — right up until 2am on Sunday morning. That’s when everything went downhill. I got sick. Properly sick. The kind where you spend the entire night running back and forth to the toilet. And not even in the comfort of your … More Surviving the Weekend, Starting the Garden
For a moment, I thought something exciting had happened to my blog. A spike in views — nice.Mostly from the USA — normal.But then… China. A lot of China. China!? That’s when I started to feel a bit suspicious. I’m used to occasional traffic from different countries, but this felt different. The numbers didn’t quite … More When Old Posts Suddenly Come Back to Life (and Maybe Bots?)
It’s been a strange week. Coming back to work after being away for a month sounds simple in theory — you just open your laptop and continue where you left off. But that’s not how it feels. It’s more like stepping into a moving train, trying to find your balance while everything is already in … More <>A Heavy Week<>
Ostara is celebrated around the spring equinox, usually on March 20 or 21, when day and night are almost equal. It marks the moment when the light begins to win over the darkness and the days slowly grow longer. In many nature-based traditions, Ostara is a celebration of renewal. The earth is waking up after … More 🌱 Ostara, Day & Night, and more
I think I’ve just realised where my trust line is. Recently I bought a book about canning. And while I already feel confident with water bath canning, pressure canning is a whole different level. It’s not something you casually experiment with—it’s about safety, not just taste. And that’s exactly where my hesitation kicked in. I … More Old Books, Real Knowledge
Today is the day when, for a brief moment, day and night are exactly the same length. From now on, the days will slowly become longer than the nights. Even if it’s only by a few seconds at a time, the light will gradually win over the darkness. I’ve always found this day special. It … More When Day and Night Are the Same Length
For two days in a row, I had the same quiet visitor. Almost in the exact same spot, too. A snake. I have to admit — I love snakes. Not in the “I want one as a pet at home” kind of way… but out here, in nature, they feel right. Like they belong. Like … More The Same Visitor, Two Days in a Row
Last week was full of outdoor work. It felt like the garden was slowly waking up after winter. At the beginning of the week there was still plenty of snow around. It’s always funny how quickly things change at this time of year — one day everything is white, and a few days later you’re … More Cleaning the Greenhouse and Starting the First Seeds Outdoors
Friday’s sunset caught my attention. The sun looked unusually big and deep red. It felt like I was in another country – like from movies. The color was so unusual — that heavy, dark red that you don’t see very often. The sky around it was much softer, almost pale, which made the sun stand … More The Big Red Sun
Remember I shared the edible cookie dough recipe here, yesterday: They made a video showing how they make the dough. Usually I help with something, but this time I took bath, so they can do whatever! Linna edited the video, and I like how it turned out! It’s real, and it’s rough 🙂 Go watch … More Edible Cookie Dough Recipe – the video
Sometimes the best part of baking cookies is not the cookies themselves — it’s the spoonfuls of dough before the tray even reaches the oven. I did that all the time when I was a kind. Now it’s unsafe for many reasons (well, I still do!), so my kids find the safe recipe. This recipe … More Edible Cookie Dough (Safe to Eat!)
In February, the author looks forward to spring gardening and begins sowing various seeds indoors and outdoors using methods like winter sowing. While some seeds thrive, others take longer to germinate or struggle. The post lists various seeds being grown, emphasizing experimentation and the joy of nurturing plants for future growth. … More February Seeds: Some Sprouted, Some Didn’t
After months of darkness, light slowly begins to take the lead… I can’t wait for Spring equanox to happen! Here in the north, winter doesn’t disappear immediately. There may still be snow in the garden, frozen patches on the paths, and muddy ground everywhere. But if you look closely, you can feel that something has … More Shaking Off the Winter Blues
I was never a huge IKEA fan, but… it turns out I’m spending quite a lot of money there and even all of our holidays building their furniture. My first real encounter with IKEA was last summer, when we decided to buy temporary bedroom furniture. It turned out to be easy to install and looked … More Our Holidays, Apparently, Are for Building IKEA
Spring is slowly returning, and the garden is starting to wake up! In this video, I take a walk around my garden to see what’s happening: my raised beds are beginning to take shape, snowdrops are starting to appear, and I check on the plants I sowed over the winter in my mini greenhouses. I … More Spring is here!
Late February always feels like a strange in-between season. The sky stays grey, snow lies heavy on the ground, and it often feels as if winter might never end. The days move slowly, and everything becomes a little dull and tiring. This year felt exactly like that. Snow kept falling, trees were covered in ice, … More Is Spring on Its Way?
I have a small piece of news to share. YouTube After thinking about it for… well… for 13 years, I finally started a YouTube channel. At the moment there are only two videos there. One of them is in Latvian, but please don’t let that stop you from visiting anyway. You can still come along, … More Some news to share 🌱
I was lucky enough to see the aurora — the Northern Lights — for the third time this year: First time: Second time: This time, Aurora was pretty pink 🙂 I think I’m living in the most beautiful and peaceful place. Right after saying that, I remembered our aggressor neighbour is only 90 km away…But … More Third time is a charm!
Lately, I’ve been ill.Nothing dramatic, nothing you can clearly point a finger at — just this exhausting, dragging 37.2 °C (about 99 °F) that keeps coming back. On paper it doesn’t sound like much, but in my body it feels awful. Aching muscles, heaviness in every limb, that strange “almost-flu” feeling, and a constant tiredness … More Somewhere Between Sick and Fine
I’m not feeling well, as I wrote yesterday: Today I took sick leave till Monday. It feels a little strange to press the pause button after three weeks of vacation… I know this is what my body has been asking for. For now the plan is simple – rest, warm cups of tea, and quiet … More A pause till Monday
I couldn’t work today, yet I didn’t take a sick leave because the thermometer showed only 37.2C (98.96 °F). A small, unimpressive number that makes you apologize instead of resting. Still, my body told a different story. Last night I woke up at 1 a.m. with an itchy, painful throat, a stuffed nose, and irritation in … More Not Sick Enough — Yet Not Okay
There is a tradition I grew up with — Latvian, I think (though I wouldn’t be surprised if it exists in other countries too): on New Year’s Eve, the table should hold twelve dishes. I clearly remember my grandmother telling me that even salt and pepper count. Back then, Latvia was poor. Under Soviet rule, … More Twelve Dishes on the New Year’s Table
Snow was falling quietly when I noticed a family of deer near the house. I was watching from the living room door, camera in hand, when they suddenly ran off — not because of me, but startled by the neighbor’s dog barking. In the deep snow, they didn’t look elegant at all. More like tumbling … More A Snowy Evening with Deer
My comfort food is as Latvian as it gets — gray peas with bacon and onions.Nothing fancy, nothing trendy. Just honest food that warms you from the inside. Gray peas with bacon and onions don’t try to impress. They simply are. And somehow, that’s exactly what I need. And gray peas are special, read more … More Comfort Food, Latvian Style
Do you remember this blog post? I started this little practice almost without expectations. One message a day — not read, just burned and sent out to the universe. No analysing, no overthinking. Just trust, intention, and letting go. Today is January 2nd, and I opened the very last one.This time, I am supposed to … More The Last One – The Real One
Everyone seems to be making New Year’s resolutions today. Lists, goals, promises to become someone faster, better, more disciplined. That has never really been for me. If anything, I feel ready to do the opposite — to slip deeper into winter. To rest. To unwind. To let life move slowly for a while. Outside, the … More First of January
I’m not sure I want to dive into how this year went… and you know what? It doesn’t matter. Some years are meant to be understood; others simply survived. What matters is this: we’re looking forward. Lessons taken, weight put down, hearts a little tougher, a little wiser. Onwards we go — heads held high, … More Year 2025
After making crème brûlée over the holidays, we ended up with a mountain of egg whites. I didn’t want to waste a single one, so we brainstormed what to make next. That’s how chocolate mousse entered the picture — our first time making it! Nelle was thrilled. She has a true love for anything chocolaty, … More 🍫 Chocolate Mousse with Egg Whites
Finally, the snow is here. I don’t know if it will stay for a while or melt away as quickly as it arrived, but for now — it’s here. And I love it. The world feels quieter under snow. Softer. The yard, the house, the road — all of it suddenly feels a little more … More Snow Is Here — At Least for Today
I was always a bit against making crème brûlée at home. Not because it’s difficult. But because I love it too much. It’s one of those desserts I prefer to keep slightly out of reach — something you order occasionally, savor slowly, and then let go. I was genuinely afraid that if I learned how … More Holiday Crème Brûlée
I didn’t plan to make three desserts over the holidays… I planned to make one. It all started innocently enough with crème brûlée. The kind that feels festive but calm. Nothing extravagant — just a proper, classic dessert for the holidays. And then I counted the eggs. Sixteen egg yolks. Which meant sixteen egg whites … More How One Dessert Turned Into Three (or: The Holiday Egg Math)
I loved this. Truly loved it. I had to share this recipe! I’ve baked a lot of quick breads over the years — soda bread, all kinds of fast no-yeast solutions, seed and pumpkin breads when I want something nourishing without waiting. They all have their place.But these bagels? This was something else. Two main … More Just Two-Ingredient Breakfast Bagels (Oven Baked)
I started without a plan… as usual. Around the winter solstice, I took small pieces of paper and wrote sentences — not wishes in a fairytale sense, but states of being. Simple, honest things. Health. Calm. Steadiness. Warmth. Written in the present tense, as if they already existed, or at least as if they were … More Interesting thought…
The last week of October slipped quietly into November, bringing with it shorter days, colder mornings, and a house full of stories. It began with the clock change — that small yearly ritual that somehow feels bigger than it is. Every autumn, when the hour shifts, I feel it not just on the clock but … More Between the Clock Change and the Xray
I haven’t been blogging daily for a while now — and I miss you all! ❤️Not sure I have the time to get back to daily posts again, but it was lovely while it lasted — more than a year in a row!Check out this rainy morning bird on the electricity pole doing yoga. ☔🐦 … More I Miss You All
I’m lucky! Ilze
I’ve added an option to translate the page into English, so you’re very welcome to visit and read about me this October! Ilze
I haven’t been very active lately… There’s a lot I could share, but I guess most of it will stay on my hard drive and never see the light of day. Lately, I’ve been thinking about moving away from WordPress.com and trying WordPress.org. I won’t be hosting it on my own server, so I’m exploring … More Looking for Hosting Advice
You can read about my rainy day here: https://dzivezemozola.wordpress.com/2025/10/12/lietaina-oktobra-svetdiena/ Ilze
I’ve been thinking about creating a new blog (again) — this time, in my native language, Latvian. And… I finally did it! You can read my very first post here: You’re welcome to visit for some photos, or use auto-translate if you’d like to read the text. I’m not sure where this new space will … More I did it!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how easily the internet lets thieves hide behind links and shadows. I recently experienced it myself (see “When Someone Links to Your Blog Without Permission”), and the feeling is sharp and painful. But I realized: I’m not alone. Many of you have had your writing, your photography, your … More For Every Creator Whose Work Has Been Stolen — I’m Sorry
— UPDATE: I’m talking about the blogs that make 50 posts a day, and all of them are from other bloggers. — Feeling down. The other day, I noticed someone had taken one of my blog post titles and featured image and made a post on their own blog. At first, it looked like my … More When Someone Links to Your Blog Without Permission
I just want to pause for a moment and say thank you to everyone who replied to my last post, “Why are you following my blog?”. Reading through all your thoughtful, kind, and encouraging comments truly made my day. I felt so much love and connection in your words — from curiosity about Latvia, to … More A Heartfelt Thank You 💛
Hi, Can you share in the comments: why are you following my blog? Thanks, Ilze
Today marks the moment when the night becomes longer than the day. The sun sets earlier, the shadows stretch, and the cool evening air lingers just a little longer. It’s a quiet reminder that the year is turning, that autumn is deepening, and that our pace of life can slow along with the shortening days. … More The Night Grows Longer
Today I finally feel better, and I’m back to work again. It’s such a relief after feeling unwell for a while. I’m grateful that my work allows me this kind of flexibility — I can do it from home, on my computer, without the need for anything physically demanding. Working remotely makes such a difference. … More Back to Work Today
Found this in the bonfire site. Ilze
Ilze
10 steps! Back inside… Ilze
For the first time in my life, I felt something I had only heard other people talk about. My back gave out on me. One wrong move and suddenly I realized how much we rely on our spine for everything — standing, walking, sitting, moving, even breathing feels different now… I can’t la/tilugh. Tomorrow I … More I Threw My Back Out…
The weather outside is getting colder, and the days are starting to feel shorter. Autumn is slowly settling in, and I’ve been preparing myself for the usual quiet of the garden as the season changes. But today I had a lovely surprise. Some say that when the weather gets colder and colder, zucchini stops producing—but … More A Surprise in the Garden
On the weekend, I had a lovely walk with my mom in Pärnu, Estonia. It felt like such a treat to step away from daily routines and just wander together. The city has this calm charm—wide streets, a gentle seaside air, and a pace that invites you to slow down. We didn’t rush anywhere. We … More A Walk in Pärnu
This week we finally installed lamps on our huge window. They aren’t meant to be the main light in the room but more of a gentle mood light. I’ve been craving that kind of soft glow—something that doesn’t overwhelm but adds a quiet atmosphere once the evening sets in. Right now, I’m not sure how … More Lamps by the Big Window
Girls are feeling much better. We went out together, and it felt so good to mark the day with a little outing. Helmī was glowing, of course—birthdays always bring that special sparkle. And what did she order to drink? Not juice, not soda, not even a milkshake… but water. With an umbrella. Yes, with an … More Girls Are Feeling Much Better, and Helmī’s Birthday Celebration
Our youngest turned ten today! 🎉 Helmī has always been full of surprises — she’s the kind of kid who won’t just do or say what you expect, and that makes her truly extraordinary. She’s fun, clever, and has her own way of looking at the world. Right now, she dreams about being a clothing … More Today is Helmī’s 10th Birthday!
This week was finally the moment we’ve been waiting for — time to install the decorative corbels on the arch! ✨ We had to make a few adjustments to the arch itself first. Nothing ever goes completely smoothly in renovation, but with a bit of grinding down and reshaping, we got it ready. We spray-painted … More Adding Corbels to Our Arch
The sofa pillows finally got their zippers! I’ve been slowly working through them, one by one, and after a few hours of careful sewing, almost all of them were done. There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing a row of neat, functional pillows ready for the couch. I had to cook dinner. The kitchen kept me … More Sewing, Zippers, and Little Surprises
Ilze
I finally made a plum torte, and it was inspired by Ruth’s post. Actually, it was her post from a year ago that planted the seed: Original Plum Torte in NYC. Back then, our renovation was in full swing, and I completely forgot about it. But yesterday, I stumbled upon Ruth’s newer post, and it … More Plum Torte – Inspired by Ruth
Yesterday was such a magical evening. The full moon turned red during the eclipse, and it was breathtaking to watch! The moon glowing in that deep red color was both strange and beautiful. I loved every moment of it. Mostly, I loved seeing my girls’ curious faces and hearing them voice chat with friends all … More Blood Moon
My back isn’t getting better. It keeps hurting and limiting my movement, which makes even the smallest daily tasks feel heavier than they should. Today is another hot one — hot and wet, like being trapped in a sauna. I’m all sweaty, struggling to breathe, and honestly, I’m not a big fan of this kind … More Hot Days, Tired Back, and String Bean Harvest
Today felt unusual for September — the thermometer showed +28°C, and the heat weighed heavily on me. My back hurt, and I couldn’t quite figure out why. I decided to take a short walk, hoping the fresh air would help, but instead, I ran into thick smoke from someone burning woodchips and branches right next … More A Hot September Day and Pizza Night
It has been raining a lot again, but this morning the world felt different. When I woke up, everything outside was wrapped in a gentle fog. To my surprise, it wasn’t cold at all—it was warm, soft, and inviting. I decided to take a short walk before breakfast, thinking it would be the perfect way … More A Foggy Morning Surprise
We’re still stuck without our car! 🚗 The hybrid battery is still causing trouble, and while Jānis managed to find a used part that might solve the problem, nothing is certain yet. And of course, the school year has already started… which makes life without a car a real headache. So what’s the solution in … More Still Without a Car…
It’s not every night you get woken up at 2 a.m., and usually, when Janis does it, it’s because something serious is happening. In our 15 years together, it’s only happened twice—and both times it was because I needed to call an ambulance. Kidney stones are never fun. But last night… last night was different. … More Woken Up by Magic
Yesterday I had what felt like a brilliant idea: bake a meringue lemon pie (First day of school). 🍋🥧 I’d made one before, and it was just the right balance of tart and sweet. But, of course, that recipe was written down somewhere on paper, and since I didn’t post it online (like I usually … More The Meringue Lemon Pie… Sugar Coma!
The first day of school is here! The kids are going back, and as always, it feels a little bit crazy for our family. You know how it is – we work from home, and usually we don’t have to go anywhere early in the morning. Suddenly, September arrives, and everything changes. Now it’s time … More First Day of School!
The last day of vacation is here. Tomorrow is not only my first day back at work, but also the school year starts. We really need to get ready for it… and honestly, I haven’t done much preparation at all…. But the big news of today is the sofa – it’s finally ready! I absolutely … More Vacation Day 31 – The Last Day
I started my day with a watercolor doodle. This time I decided to try drawing an amanita mushroom – such a classic forest symbol of autumn. It was fun to play with the bright red cap and little white dots. Later in the day, I didn’t really feel like going out, but we were invited … More Vacation Day 30 – Watercolors, a Garden Party, and a Sunset
In the morning, I went for a walk and brought home a beautiful maple leaf. I even tried drawing it later. It didn’t turn out exactly as I imagined, but considering I’ve had no prior training in art, I think it came out pretty well. It feels so refreshing to slow down, notice these little … More Vacation Day 29 – Leaves, Sewing, and Small Joys
I started the day at 6:45… just woke up, without an alarm! Not sure why, but I decided to take the day as it comes. First thing, I went for a walk and collected maple samaras – their shapes are so perfect and delicate. Feeling inspired, I tried my hand at watercolor and painted the … More Vacation Day 28 – Morning Walk, Watercolors, and Foraging
The morning greeted us with a chill in the air – colder than usual, a gentle reminder that autumn is on its way. On my walk I noticed the grass covered in dew, and the spider webs glistening like lace in the morning light. It was such a beautiful sight, delicate threads sparkling as the … More Vacation Day 27 – Sunshine and Sewing
Day 26 morning started with a little surprise – we found a snake skin in the greenhouse! I guess my greenhouse is cozy enough that even a snake decided to hang around. I actually love the look of the skin, so I’m drying it and will keep it in a jar as a little keepsake. … More Vacation Day 26 – Car Troubles and a Snake Surprise
I went to the garden and collected a few new beetroots and carrots – regular ones and purple ones. We had potatoes together with chicken legs; they made a hearty dinner. It’s such a rainy and cold day outside… perfect for staying cozy inside with comfort food. Jānis brought me a cinnamon roll, and the … More Vacation Day 25 – Rainy Garden Harvest and Cozy Evening
Day 24 was all about pillows! The sofa set came with five, but it’s designed for six—3+2+1—and that missing pillow was bothering me. So, I decided to make a new one. Luckily, I have a serger, which made the job so much easier. Since it’s an inside pillow, I left the seams on the outside—no … More Vacation Day 24 – Pillow Project and Fabric Decisions
I cut all the tops of the pumpkin plants, hoping they will grow strong and be ready soon. Tops look so beautiful, full of promise—I’m even thinking about putting them in a vase just to enjoy them indoors for a little while. There’s something magical about seeing the garden transition from summer to autumn, and … More Vacation Day 23 – Autumn Whispers in the Garden
Today I spotted the cat in the craziest sleeping position on the chair – he looked like he could slip down at any minute! It’s always amusing to see how flexible they can be. Finally, all the extra pillows arrived, though I’m still waiting on the fabrics. My plan now is to add more pillows … More Vacation Day 22 – Cozy Corners and Pillow Plans
At night was heavenly—but not in the way you might think. The rain came down in a steady, soothing drizzle, and the air felt cool and damp, like the first whispers of autumn. Roads suffered… again. This morning—or perhaps more accurately, early afternoon, since we woke up late it was sunny! I went out with … More Vacation Day 21 – A Wet, Autumn-Like Evening
Day 20 felt calm and comforting. I made a hearty soup from our homegrown chicken carcass, adding potatoes from Jānis’s parents’ garden, my own carrots, string beans, and onions. The kitchen filled with the warm, earthy aroma of fresh ingredients coming together—simple, nourishing, and completely satisfying. And, of course, I had to eat it with … More Vacation Day 20 – Soup, Rain, and a Little Treasure
Finally, the tractor arrived to collect the hay we had mowed. Here, there’s a law that hay must be properly cleared from the meadows — you can’t just mow and leave it on the ground. So it was such a joy to see the hay being gathered, dried, and then rolled into neat bales! The … More Vacation Day 19 – Hay, Zucchini, and a Busy Yard
a day in the life of a latvian mom 