I just realised it’s the last day of June!!!!June brought steady rain and moments of celebration — a month of quiet wins and the familiar chaos of real life. Here’s a look back at the goals I set at the start of the month and what we managed to accomplish. But first June gallery! How the June … More What We Achieved in June
This weekend, we went to Salacgrīva to celebrate Ilona’s birthday — my brother’s wife. She threw an 80s-themed party, and it was such a fun throwback! It’s always a bit funny dressing up for the 80s in Latvia, because unlike the flashy Western pop-culture vibe most people think of, our 80s were different. Latvia wasn’t … More Ilona’s 80s Party!
When it comes to making a ziedu vainags (flower crown), you don’t need wire, thread, string, or tape. Nature gives us everything we need. With just wildflowers and smilgas (bentgrass or other strong wild grass), you can make a crown that stays firm, holds its shape beautifully, and brings joy both in midsummer and long … More Make your own Flower Crown!
The meadowsweet has started to bloom! I can’t wait to see the whole field burst into those soft, creamy-white blossoms, glowing in the light like a dream. There’s something magical about them—how they catch the sun and seem to shimmer in the breeze. And the scent… it’s the smell of summer itself. Warm, sweet, and … More 🌿 Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) – A Scent of Summer and Sweet Relief
Yesterday was one of those rare days that felt like a gift. The sun finally made an appearance after a month of grey skies and drizzle. I didn’t even realize how much I had missed it until I stepped outside and felt its warmth on my face. And yes—believe it or not—I even got a … More A Sunny Day and Nature’s Goodies
There’s something magical about the first chanterelles. They always catch me by surprise — that golden pop in the moss, that earthy smell that says, yes, summer has truly arrived. It’s a small joy, but one I wait for every year. This time, I didn’t go to the forest; these beauties came to me thanks … More The First Chanterelles of the Season!
After the summer solstice celebrations, our home always feels a bit enchanted, filled with lingering scents of wilting birch trees – meijas (in Latvian), drying flower crowns, and wildflowers & grasses slowly fading in every vase. This year, my bouquet of Jāņu zāles brought a little extra magic I hadn’t expected. I had carefully gathered … More The Magic Dust of Līgo!
What a magical celebration we had! 🌿☀️ Let’s start with Linna’s Rhubarb pie, it was delicious. You can find the recipe here: Perfect Rhubarb custard pie. Yesterday we welcomed Līgo night with what might have been the biggest bonfire we’ve ever made – seriously, it was huge! Flames reaching high into the sky, sparks dancing in … More Our Līgo and Jāņi – Bonfire, Tradition, and Trout!
There’s something special in the air on Līgo night. The scent of blooming meadows, the hum of insects, the quiet excitement of an ancient celebration getting closer. Līgo is the evening before Jāņi, and it’s more than just preparation – it’s the build-up of energy. People gather, flower crowns are made, songs are sung in … More Līgo – The Night When Latvia Glows
The scent of blooming meadows, bonfires waiting to be lit, flower crowns drying on the table, and songs quietly echoing from a speaker in the kitchen… It’s almost Jāņi, and we’re getting ready in the most traditional way we know. One of the first things on my list each year is Jāņu siers – that … More Latvian Midsummer Cheese
The weather is absolutely terrible today – cold, wet, windy, and grey. You know, the kind of day that feels like time has jumped backwards into late November. I kept looking out the window, hoping for at least a patch of sunlight, but nope… just drizzle and clouds all day long. Solstice? Sure – but … More Homemade Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds in 15 Minutes
The June solstice is almost here. On Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 05:42 in the morning, the sun will reach its highest point over Gulbene—and we’ll be living our longest day of the year. It’s hard to ignore. The light stretches forever. Evening feels like afternoon, and morning arrives so early that the birds start … More The Longest Day – Summer Solstice in Latvia
Clover might just be one of the most underestimated little plants growing all around us (well, also nettle, read here). It doesn’t shout for attention. It’s low to the ground, quiet, and humble—but if you look closely, it’s everywhere. In our fields, by the garden beds, under the apple trees… And as I’ve learned, it’s … More Clover – A Tiny Flower with Big Benefits
Lately, I’ve found myself pausing more often just to admire the fields around our home. It’s not a carefully planted garden or a designed landscape—it’s just nature doing its thing. And right now, that means wildflowers. A whole sea of them. Especially daisies. Some people call them oxeye daisies—Leucanthemum vulgare, if we’re being official. But … More The Wild Beauty Around Me: Oxeye Daisies—Leucanthemum Vulgare
This morning started like any other – I was making tea and preparing to dive into work, when a surprisingly loud chirp-chirp-chirp pulled my attention toward the front door. I peeked out and there it was – a great tit, perched confidently in the bush just next to the entrance. The sound was so sharp … More A Little Star in the Bush
I still can’t believe it—I got pictures of a sotrk right in my yard! It came so close, just calmly walking around like it owned the place. I grabbed my phone as fast as I could and snapped a few shots before it flew off again. What a moment! For those who don’t know, sotrk … More Sotrk! A Surprise Visitor in My Yard
One of the containers I planted tomatoes in had a few holes at the bottom—nothing fancy, just enough for drainage. But with all the rain lately, it flooded a few times. Turns out, the roof rain collector was clogged, and all that water ended up pouring straight into that one unlucky container. My poor tomato … More A Surprise Under the Tomato Container
Yesterday, I spent way too long tidying up the greenhouse—and honestly, I don’t even like it. For starters, the entrance is a slippery slope. Literally. It’s built into a hill, and after any rain, it’s like trying to walk across soap. I’ve already slipped there twice and hit myself hard, and ever since, I tread … More A Love-Hate Relationship with My Greenhouse
Yesterday, I broke my blogging streak. I had this goal in mind—360 days of daily blogging. I was so close. But life, as it does, had other plans. I simply forgot. I remembered to share the post… but I hadn’t written one yet. Something unexpected came up at work, and the day slipped through my … More 312 Days Later – And Still Blogging
I couldn’t sleep. You know those restless nights when your mind simply won’t quiet down, and even your usual rituals—tea, journaling, a bit of stretching—don’t help? That was me, tossing and turning. Eventually, I gave up trying. I slipped out of bed, wrapped myself in a hoodie, and stepped outside for some fresh air, it … More Strawberry Moon Magic – A Sleepless Night
Today was Nelle’s art school graduation. It was a big milestone for her, and I’m so proud. After the ceremony, we invited everyone over to our place for cake. Now the house smells like coffee and cake, and there are flowers everywhere. Seriously—everywhere. Nelle was glowing the whole time. She was so happy, and rightfully … More A Big Day for Nelle 🎨
I keep skipping my walks. I know I should walk more—I want to walk more! But getting to 10K steps a day feels completely out of reach right now. Honestly, I wish I could be one of those people who just naturally hit their step goals without even thinking about it. You know the ones. … More I Skip Walking More Than I’d Like To
As you know, my colleague Marika came for a visit. You can read here: When a Colleague Cycles 108km/67miles to Visit You I didn’t feel like going out, but we went for dinner anyway — and I’m so glad we did. We ended up chasing a rainbow. Then wandered into a forest wrapped in fog. It … More Fun we had with Marika
I finally did it—I planted and seeded the furrows. This year I have 4! It’s ridiculously late in the season, I know. Normally by now, the garden would already be showing signs of life, and I’d be sharing photos of sprouting rows or eating baby carrots! But this year… this year has been strange. It … More Late Seeds, Soaked Soil, and a Bit of Hope
Today is my best friend Džeina’s birthday. She’s not the type to make a big fuss about it. Most years, her birthday quietly slips by—no parties, no loud gatherings, no spotlight. That’s just who she is: modest, thoughtful, grounded. But this year, I didn’t want it to go by unnoticed. So we celebrated in her … More A Quiet Celebration for a Beautiful Soul
Working remotely has its perks, but sometimes it feels like I’m on a tiny island far away from the heart of everything. While most of my colleagues live close to Riga and occasionally gather in cafes for Tuesday work-togethers, I stay in Gulbene full-time. That means I miss out on casual chats, spontaneous coffee breaks, … More When a Colleague Cycles 108km/67miles to Visit You
When I came to Anna’s Manor for our work event, I noticed a stork feather lying in the grass. It felt like a small gift — quiet, light, and meaningful. I picked it up and brought it home with me. It’s now resting on my oak desk, reminding me of the stillness of that place … More Feathers, Stones, and Memory
Yesterday I spent the day at our regular two-day work event — something we do every couple of months to reconnect, since we all work remotely. I only planned to attend the first day, and now I’m back at home, working in my quiet little corner. The event took place at Anna’s Hotel — a … More A Day with the Team – Anna’s Manor
Oh boy, waking up this morning was rough. After Nelle’s birthday celebration, I felt like I’d barely closed my eyes when the alarm rang. Normally, I’m up by 7:00, but Monday? I somehow dragged myself out of bed at 9:15—and even that felt like a miracle. My eyes refused to stay open, and all I … More The Morning After Nelle’s Birthday
Nelle turned a year older, and we celebrated quietly but sweetly. I baked the birthday cake with help from Linna. She was so proud to help, and the cake turned out lovely. We lit the candles, sang the birthday song, and smiled at how quickly these little ones grow. It was one of those rare … More Nelle’s 13th Birthday
Hello, June 🌿 I can hardly believe we’re here already. Usually in the middle of May, all the furrows are full of carrots, beetroots, potatoes, etc. The new growing season is started. But not this year! I still wait for the tractor to come and make a furrow in my field! Also, I’m feeling a … More June Goals & Intentions
a day in the life of a latvian mom 