Blog Posts

A pause till Monday

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…

Not Sick Enough — Yet Not Okay

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…

Twelve Dishes on the New Year’s Table

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,…

A Snowy Evening with Deer

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…

Comfort Food, Latvian Style

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…

The Last One – The Real One

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…

First of January

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…

Year 2025

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,…

🍫 Chocolate Mousse with Egg Whites

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,…

Snow Is Here — At Least for Today

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…

Holiday Crème Brûlée

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…

How One Dessert Turned Into Three (or: The Holiday Egg Math)

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…

Just Two-Ingredient Breakfast Bagels (Oven Baked)

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…

Interesting thought…

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…

Between the Clock Change and the Xray

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…

I Miss You All

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. ☔🐦…

About me in October

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

Looking for Hosting Advice

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…

I did it!

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…

For Every Creator Whose Work Has Been Stolen — I’m Sorry

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…

When Someone Links to Your Blog Without Permission

— 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…

A Heartfelt Thank You 💛

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…

The Night Grows Longer

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.…

Back to Work Today

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.…

I Threw My Back Out…

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…

A Surprise in the Garden

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…

A Walk in Pärnu

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…

Lamps by the Big Window

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…

Girls Are Feeling Much Better, and Helmī’s Birthday Celebration

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…

Today is Helmī’s 10th Birthday!

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…

Adding Corbels to Our Arch

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…

Sewing, Zippers, and Little Surprises

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…

Plum Torte – Inspired by Ruth

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…

Blood Moon

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…

Hot Days, Tired Back, and String Bean Harvest

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…

A Hot September Day and Pizza Night

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…

A Foggy Morning Surprise

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…

Still Without a Car…

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…

Woken Up by Magic

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.…

The Meringue Lemon Pie… Sugar Coma!

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…

First Day of School!

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…

Vacation Day 31 – The Last Day

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…

Vacation Day 30 – Watercolors, a Garden Party, and a Sunset

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…

Vacation Day 29 – Leaves, Sewing, and Small Joys

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…

Vacation Day 28 – Morning Walk, Watercolors, and Foraging

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…

Vacation Day 27 – Sunshine and Sewing

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…

Vacation Day 26 – Car Troubles and a Snake Surprise

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.…

Vacation Day 25 – Rainy Garden Harvest and Cozy Evening

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…

Vacation Day 24 – Pillow Project and Fabric Decisions

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…

Vacation Day 23 – Autumn Whispers in the Garden

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…

Vacation Day 22 – Cozy Corners and Pillow Plans

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…

Vacation Day 21 – A Wet, Autumn-Like Evening

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…

Vacation Day 20 – Soup, Rain, and a Little Treasure

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…

Vacation Day 19 – Hay, Zucchini, and a Busy Yard

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…

Vacation Day 18 – A Little Visitor

I was out in the garden when suddenly I noticed a little bird landing in the sweet peas — only about four meters away from me. Moments like this make me so grateful for today’s phones. Of course, a camera would have been better, but there was no way the bird was going to wait…

Vacation Day 17 – A Basket of Peas

I went out to the garden just to check if we had enough yellow beans for lunch, and instead I came back with a full basket of sugar peas (and a bit of beans)! The kids ate quite a lot of them fresh, and I did too. Still, I’m thinking of cooking a stew with…

Vacation Day 16 – Walks and Garden Notes

I went for a 5 km walk with Jānis. On the way, we spotted bees, a butterfly caterpillar, an overturned beetle, and even a little stream. Everything just feels more romantic when I’m walking with my husband. 🙂 Back at home, we’ve nearly finished eating through one of the romaine lettuce beds, but luckily two…

Vacation Day 15 – Afternoon Tea and a New Bench

We said goodbye to our guests on Sunday, but the day still had a few surprises in store. For the past two years, Jānis’s mom has had this fantastic garden bench — actually, two chairs joined together with a little table in the middle. It’s absolutely perfect for my height, weight, and heart :). While…

Vacation Day 14 – Anniversary Celebrations

As expected, we had a lovely time the night before. Jānis had his special moments with Oto, and I enjoyed the conversations around me. The next day was all about getting ready for our 15th wedding anniversary celebration. We started with lunch at our house, followed by cake, and then continued at Jānis’s parents’ place,…

Vacation Day 13 – Sewing, Mess, and a Warm Heart

Let’s get back to documenting my vacation days. Honestly, I don’t know any other purpose for this than just to remember what I did and what I achieved. It’s like scrapbooking — only in words. So, the previous night I went to bed at 3 AM (not my brightest idea), and of course, I was…

15 years ago…

Busy with celebration 🙂 Then. Now. Have a lovely weekend Ilze

Vacation Day 12 – Our 15th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was a special one — 15 years since our wedding! 💕 Now, I know many couples celebrate by going out to a nice restaurant, but I’m just not that type. Sitting in a public place, where everyone sees you, hears you, and you have to politely ignore the noise around… nope, not my idea…

Vacation Day 11 – Our Annual “Photoshoot”

Yesterday was supposed to be all about the photoshoot… but in reality, it turned into an Olympic-level event of outfit hunting. I spent the whole day digging through clothes, trying to match outfits to each kid’s personal “style” and “personality.” (Yes, sarcasm heavily implied.) Before all that chaos, I picked my straw flowers — they…

Vacation Day 10: Fields, Salads, and Starry Skies

Today, Jānis’s father started cutting the grass across all our 7 hectares — with a tractor, for hay. The storks kept a watchful eye over the whole process, like little supervisors in the field. I just love how everything looks after it’s cut down — so neat, fresh, and summery. We eat salads every day…

Why I Try to Walk 10,000 Steps Every Day

These vacation day posts changed my style of blogging completely :)I need a post about things I care about or experience, not a diary about each and every day… I spend most of my workday sitting in front of a computer, working with people. I’m not complaining — I love my job — but sometimes…

Vacation Day 9: Lazy Day

I didn’t feel great yesterday, so I stayed in bed and let myself sink into the soft, predictable comfort of Hallmark movies. I know, I know… but sometimes you just need that. While curled up, I ordered a few missing things for my sewing machine — a hidden zipper foot, measuring tape, needles, and scissors.…

Vacation Day 8: Forest Foraging & A Not-So-Great Ending

I was feeling a bit down yesterday, so I went to the forest. I foraged for chanterelles and russules, and ate a few bilberries — enough to turn my mouth completely blue. Saw a huge patch of ferns and a whole field of heather (Calluna vulgaris). I couldn’t resist taking a few stems home. Butterflies…

Vacation Day 7: Fabric Delivery, Garden Tasks & a Full Moon Walk

The morning started in the coziest way possible — after breakfast I took my coffe in bed. Jānis drove to the Gulbene to by some stuff for renovation and I was sipping my “morning” coffee (around 2PM😅). Jānis took out the package from Omniva, and my fabrics, threads, and zippers from a lovely little fabric…

Vacation Day 6: Slow & Sweet

Today started slow… and stayed that way. I finally sat down to reply to all your lovely comments — something I hadn’t managed to do for the past five days. It took quite a while to go through them all and answer each one, but it felt so nice to catch up. By 2 p.m.,…

Vacation Day 5: Clean Sofa & Sewing Plans

I’m finally sharing the clean sofa pictures! ✨ Much better! Before: After: Yesterday was such a lovely day. Thanks to Jānis, I now have my needles, and thanks to Baiba—with her professional oil (she makes beautiful bags and purses)—both my sewing machine and serger are now ready for upcoming projects. I even ordered fabric for…

1 Year of Daily Posts: Life as a Latvian Mom

Today marks 369 days since I started posting daily about my life as a Latvian mom. That’s a whole year—plus a few extra days for good measure. What began as a small habit quickly turned into a rhythm I didn’t want to break. Some posts were brief, some were disorganized, but all were genuine. I…

Vacation Day 4: Sewing Machines, Zucchini & a Rare Rainbow

The morning started with another delicious salad straight from the garden. 🥗 I just love this daily ritual—fresh, simple, and full of summer flavor. The big news today? I finally brought my sewing machines back home. It’s been a while—I originally gave them “just for a week”… and never got them back. 😅 But now…

Vacation Day 3: Primrose Flowers, Sofa Dreams & A Bath

This morning started with collecting the delicate flowers of the common evening-primrose. Their soft yellow petals feel like little pieces of sunshine—wild, gentle, and fleeting. Then came a lovely breakfast straight from the garden, followed (of course) by my favorite ritual: coffee with ice cream. ☕🍦 All the sofa cushions are finally dry and clean!…

Vacation Day 2: Ice Cream & Coffee, Furrows & Flower Namesakes

This morning began with something simple and lovely: fresh salad, dill, and crisp cucumbers from our garden, mixed with a touch of salt and kefir. Light, refreshing, and just right—especially before enjoying a coffee with a scoop of ice cream. I love mornings like this—unrushed, soft, a little bit magical. Afterward, I headed out to…

Vacation Day 1: Walk, Horseflies and Sofa Cleaning

My first day of vacation was… nice. Nothing dramatic, nothing wild — just the kind of slow, easy start I’ve been craving. I woke up at 9am (no alarm, thank you very much!), stretched out slowly. Breakfast was simple and nourishing — some fresh veggies, which somehow taste even better when there’s no rush to…

Tomorrow It’s Official!

After months of juggling work, renovation dust, and family life, tomorrow marks the official start of my vacation! No meetings, no emails—just time to breathe, stretch, and maybe even finish a cup of tea while it’s still warm. 🫖✨ Yes, I’ve had time off before… but it usually meant hard labor—renovating, cooking, fixing something. And…

I Bought a Vintage Sofa Set!

So… I finally found and bought a vintage sofa set! I was thrilled when I saw the photos—charming, with character and perfect curves – just like me :). But when it arrived… let’s just say it doesn’t look exactly like in the ad. 🙈 It’s still ok… I paid 300 EUR for delivery (they came…

August Goals & Intentions

A new month begins—and this one feels different already. August means vacation time for me, and I plan to embrace slow living in its fullest form. I want to rest deeply, create gently, and give time to the things I love the most: watercolor, journaling, being outdoors, and enjoying the simple rhythms of home. There’s…

What We Achieved in July

I can’t believe July is already over! We didn’t set any formal goals this month—and honestly, with summer in full swing and both of us working full time, that was more than enough. July naturally became a month of slowing down, enjoying home, and letting the simple beauty of the season unfold around us. But…

The Table That Remembers

Today, I walked into my so-called “green room” — our special occasion dining space — and was instantly hit by a wave of scent and nostalgia. There it was: the black oak table, covered with a white cotton bed sheet, herbs spread out to dry in the warmth of summer. I paused. I had seen…

Building Bonds with Oto

One of the most heartwarming parts of the weekend has been watching the bond between Jānis and Oto grow stronger with each passing day. There’s something so genuine and joyful about the way they connect – whether they’re laughing, playing, or deep in conversation about all the important (and not-so-important) topics a five-year-old can think…

The Last Week Before Vacation

It’s the last week before vacation, and while many people are packing suitcases or making travel checklists, I find myself leaning into something much simpler: staying home. We don’t have any grand adventures planned—just a short trip to Salacgrīva to celebrate my brother’s birthday. The rest of the time, I’m looking forward to something that…

Adrenaline Weekend: Amateur Rally

This past weekend was full of energy, dust, and engine noise – Jānis participated in an amateur rally as a co-driver, and we were all cheering him on from the sidelines! He wasn’t behind the wheel, but in the passenger seat with the route map in hand – calm, focused, and calling out directions as…

Change of Plans, Loads of Fun: A Weekend to Remember

This past weekend was meant to be all about Gulbene’s birthday celebrations – the plan was simple: my brother and his family would come over, we’d all head out to enjoy the city festivities, and end the evening with a concert under the stars. But as life tends to do, plans shifted, and honestly… I’m…

Late Night Walk and the Storks on the Tree

Next to our home stands an old, dead tree — weathered and bare, yet proud, like a silent guardian watching over us. Sometimes, this tree becomes an unexpected resting spot for storks, and last night was one of those magical evenings. We spotted a few storks there: one peacefully sleeping, one arriving, another leaving, and…

Moonlight: Snooze & missed Zoom

Few nights ago, something magical happened. I was just about to wind down when I glanced outside and saw the moon — but not just any moon. It was wrapped in a delicate veil of clouds. “Go, capture it!” Without thinking twice, I grabbed my camera and ran outside. I spent way too much time…

Marley the Cat and the Stolen Sunday

Our cat Marley is a sun worshipper, no doubt about it. On any sunny day, you’ll find him stretched out like royalty in the warmest patch of light—on the windowsill, on the floor, on top of laundry, outside, you name it. He doesn’t move much. Just snoozes, purrs, and soaks in the golden rays like…

A Basket Full of Surprise – Wild Majoram (Oregano) on My Trail

Sometimes, a quiet walk turns into a small adventure. The other day, I grabbed my little basket, filled up a water bottle, tucked a small knife into my basket, and headed out (with my friend Džeina). There was something I had noticed a few days earlier on our walking trail—something that looked very much like…

Freezing Peas for Winter

This summer, I had the sweetest surprise—not just from the peas themselves, but from the people who grew them. A local family here grows peas, and this time they did something extra generous: they opened their fields and let locals pick up to three liters for free! No charge. Just come, pick, and take home…

I’m Latvian—Of Course There’s Dill

You know how some people say “put a cherry on top”?We say, put some dill on it. Because if you’re Latvian, you know:Dill isn’t a garnish.It’s a way of life. Potatoes? With dill.Cucumbers? With dill.Eggs, fish, cottage cheese, rye bread spread with something mysterious and creamy? Yup—dill. Dill is comfort. It’s summer in a handful.…