As October draws to a close, the crisp air and fading autumn colors remind us of the beauty in transitions. Today is the perfect moment to cherish the little things: the crunch of leaves underfoot, cozy evenings with warm drinks, and the excitement of… not Halloween, but the approaching Mārtiņdiena. November is also significant for … More Embracing the Last Day of October
Working from home has its perks – no commute, comfy clothes, and plenty of tea breaks. But it also means unpredictable guest appearances. Yesterday, I was in a Zoom meeting with my team, discussing our approach, when Marley, our furry family member, decided to make his debut. Marley sat there for 10 minutes and then … More Yesterday’s Zoom Meeting: When the Support Team Met Marley
As autumn arrives, the cool air and muted colors invite us to enjoy nature, even when it feels a bit gray. One day, while walking through a foggy field, I saw a fox sleeping on a hay roll, its reddish fur blending into the dull backdrop. Of course, I scared the fox away and ended … More Autumn Walks: A Fox’s Nap
Puzzle Title: Positano, Italy Number of Pieces: 500 Manufacturer: Trefl Puzzle size: 48 x 34 cm Year of Completion: 2019 My Comment: I puzzled this together with Nelle and we did it over the weekend of January 2019. Puzzle Trivia: The first jigsaw puzzle was created in 1766 by John Spilsbury, a British cartographer, to … More Jigsaw Puzzle #9: Positano, Italy
In Latvia, autumn’s transformation is a breathtaking spectacle that can shift dramatically within just a few days. One moment, the landscape is a vibrant tapestry of golden yellows, as the trees flaunt their autumnal hues, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Remember these pictures from 2 weeks ago? But as the days pass, a different … More The Swift Transition of Latvian Autumn
With winter just around the corner, we decided it was the perfect time to plant our tulip and daffodil bulbs. 🌷🌼 Instead of planting them outdoors, we opted to keep the pots inside the greenhouse for the winter. It’s a bit of an experiment—we’re curious to see if the extra protection will give them a … More Planting Tulips and Daffodils: Our Winter Greenhouse Experiment
It’s hard to believe how many puzzles I’ve finished lately without sharing them here! As a passionate puzzler, each completed puzzle holds a special place in my heart, and I think it’s time to showcase some of those wonderful moments with you all. Puzzling has become a cherished hobby for me—a way to unwind and … More Puzzle Haul: Time to Share my Journey!
I know it might seem a bit early, or maybe not, but I’m already choosing wallpaper for our home! With most of the big renovation tasks behind us and the vinyl flooring decided (you can read about that adventure here), it’s time to focus on adding the finishing touches. I ordered a lot of samples, … More Is It Too Early to Pick Wallpaper? Maybe Not!
It’s school break for the kids, which means the house is full and loud! Trying to get work done has been a bit of a challenge with all the chaos, so I decided to take a break and go for a walk. The fresh air did wonders. I found some late-season raspberries, which tasted like … More A School break = Chaos
We took the plunge into dragon fruit, drawn by its flashy looks, but ended up munching on a glorious disappointment! It was like biting into a sugar beet with some flashy seeds. After an underwhelming group taste test, we’re back to our reliable apples and berries. Sorry, dragon fruit, it’s not you, it’s us! … More Dragon Fruit…
As autumn graces us with its presence, painting the world in rich oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows, I feel a delightful urge to retreat indoors and indulge in my favorite cozy activity: jigsaw puzzles. After a summer filled with outdoor adventures and sun-soaked days, the arrival of cooler weather invites a comforting shift, a … More Embracing Autumn: My Time for Jigsaw Puzzles
Our chilly nights have transformed into delightful escapades! The kids had an absolute blast jumping from the hot tub to pick fresh watermelon and then diving back in to warm up or rushing to the wet sauna. Their laughter filled the air under the starry sky as they relished this fun game, making the most … More Jumping from the Hot Tub to Sauna
Today, I want to celebrate a truly remarkable woman—my mom, who turns 71 today. Her life has been filled with challenges, and yet, she’s always faced them with strength and resilience that leave me in awe. Back in 1991, after Latvia regained its independence, things were really tough. Work was hard to come by, and … More Happy 71st Birthday to My Incredible Mom! 🎉
Remember my last tomato harvest? It was such a delightful surprise, thanks to the warm autumn weather! If you missed it, you can check out the details here. Well, guess what? Just three weeks later, I was in for yet another surprise harvest! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how many more tomatoes … More Another Surprise Tomato Harvest!
I recently picked up a bunch of autumn raspberries, and I can’t get enough of their juiciness and delicious flavor! There’s something special about these late-season treats. Unlike summer raspberries, which often come dry, autumn raspberries are a delight to enjoy without any bd surprises. This year, they still surprised us this late in October, … More Autumn Raspberries: A Juicy Delight!
While Helmī’s recent adventure with the camera was a joy to watch, I can’t forget to mention Linna—our seasoned young photographer. She’s been capturing moments with my old camera for a while now, and this year she decided to take it a step further by enrolling in a photography class for kids. I love that … More Linna and the Art of Photography: A Creative Journey
Yesterday’s challenging walk transformed into a delightful adventure when 9-year-old Helmī found joy in photography with my old Canon. Despite a rough start, she blossomed with curiosity, capturing Latvia’s beauty through her eyes. It’s heartwarming to witness her potential as a budding photographer for our blog! … More Seeing the World Through Helmī’s eyes
This weekend was extra special as we had Linna’s friend over! They’ve been best friends since kindergarten. Things changed a bit when Linna chose German as her third language and her friend opted for Russian. They are not in the same classes anymore. Despite the shift, their bond remains strong, and I hope it continues … More A Weekend with Friends and Golden Autumn in Latvia
This weekend, we took a break from renovations and went for a long walk around the area. The weather was perfect, with sunlight streaming through the trees. As we strolled, the girls ran ahead, and everything felt calm—until we spotted a zalktis (grass snake) lying right in the middle of the road. She is a … More A Grass Snake on the Road
Every autumn, I feel the urge to learn something new. Last year, it was organic chemistry, and before that, herbalism and the healing properties of plants. This year, I’m diving into Japanese Hiragana, drawn to its visual elegance and connection to the language. For 20 years, autumn meant the start of school, and that rhythm … More Autumn: My Season of Learning
I can’t believe the northern lights reached Latvia this week—and I missed them! 😭 My colleagues were lucky enough to catch the stunning display and took some incredible photos of the glowing greens and purples lighting up the sky. It’s rare for us to see something like this, so I’m feeling a bit of sad. … More Chasing the Northern Lights
As the days grow shorter and the garden veggies ripen, it’s the perfect time to start canning! You can read about my first experience with water bath canning. There’s something incredibly comforting about having a homemade soup base on hand. With a busy work schedule and limited time to cook during the day, I decided … More Canning: Preserving Beetroot Soup Base for Cozy Days Ahead
I couldn’t resist one final drive to the forest, eager to soak in the beauty of nature one last time before winter settles in. This time, I steered clear of the mysterious lakes and that quirky cabin, venturing a bit deeper into the woods instead. With my husband by my side, I felt adventurous and … More One Last Drive to the Forest
So, I usually take a midday stroll, but now I can walk anytime in my unfinished house area. There are cool trails nearby, and I did a nice 1km yesterday at 6am. The sunrise and fog were just stunning. It felt magical and peaceful. I really love this place! 🧡 … More Couldn’t Resist: A 6AM Walk Through Fog and Sunrise
Let me introduce you to one of my early followers, Peggy! She’s a fantastic inspiration for traveling the world and cooking whatever pops up on page 32 of any cookbook. Peggy is the only one of my follower friends who has visited Latvia—although, despite the country being small, our paths haven’t crossed yet. Here are … More #4: From Followers to Friends – Peggy from leggypeggy.com
I feel incredibly lucky to live just a five-minute walk from the forest. This city beautifully balances urban life with natural beauty, allowing me to escape into the woods whenever I need a break from the busyness of everyday life. Taking these nature walks brings me a sense of peace and grounding. Whether it’s the … More Embracing Nature: My Five-Minute Walk to Serenity
While wandering through the forest recently, I stumbled upon a series of three small lakes nestled among the trees. They had an air of mystery about them, almost as if they were hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. These lakes felt almost haunted to me; the stillness of the water and the surrounding woods created … More Discovering the Enigmatic Lakes in the Forest
I recently set out on a mushroom-hunting adventure, and I’m thrilled to report that I found a few chanterelles! Just enough to whip up a delicious mushroom gravy, a staple in every Latvian household. There’s something so comforting about this dish, especially when served with creamy mashed potatoes. I can’t help but reminisce about a … More Chanterelles and Gravy: A Culinary Tradition
I recently bought a new pair of wellies, and I’m excited to take them out for a spin! With mushroom hunting season winding down, I can’t wait to explore the woods and see if I can find some of my favorite chanterelles. There’s something special about wearing wellies while wandering through the forest, stepping over … More New Wellies and the Last Chanterelles of the Season
One of the highlights of my workday is my midday 5K walk in the park. With a sitting job, moving around is essential, and this walk helps me meet my step goals while providing a much-needed mental reset. The park is particularly beautiful, especially around the small pond where the ducks gather. Every day, I … More Ducks in the Park: My Midday 5K
Waking up on the last day of September to a brisk, chilly morning was quite the experience! The sun was shining brightly, and at first, I didn’t even notice the frost, as the sun had melted most of it away. The steam rising from the ponds created a magical, ethereal atmosphere that took my breath … More A Chilly Surprise: First Frost on a Sunny Morning
As October arrives, Latvia transforms into a vibrant autumn wonderland. The air turns crisp, the days shorten, and nature’s colors come alive in gold, amber, and crimson hues. Birch trees glow with yellow leaves, while maples blaze in fiery reds and oranges. Leaf peeping is at its finest, with fallen leaves creating a rich carpet … More Embracing October: The Enchanting Transformations of Autumn in Latvia
a day in the life of a latvian mom 