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
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…
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
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
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
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
For a while now, it felt like everything was piling up—work, renovation, family commitments, and life in general. I’ve been juggling so many responsibilities, and it has become overwhelming. It felt as if I were trapped in a series of dark tunnels with no end in sight. The weight of it all pressed down and … More Sunday: Finding the Light in One of Many Tunnels
For the past six years, I’ve been drawn to living in tune with nature’s rhythms, especially through the changing seasons—each with its own energy, beauty, and lessons. The Wheel of the Year, based on life’s natural cycles of life, death, and rebirth, has become a way for me to reconnect with nature and ground myself … More My Personal Connection to Nature’s Cycles
Last night’s sunset at Chestnut Manor was nothing short of breathtaking. There’s a certain magic in the way the light kisses the land here, as if the day itself is softly saying goodbye before slipping into night. In the midst of this golden glow stood our caravan—our cozy hideaway throughout the renovation. It’s almost time … More A Bittersweet Sunset: Reflecting on Our Journey at Chestnut Manor
This weekend, we escaped to our unfinished house, arriving on Friday just as the colder evenings set in. The house felt cozy and inviting. This was due to the warmth of our newly started central heating. The soft glow of candles also added to the coziness. Marley, our ever-loyal cat who lives there full-time, joined … More A Cozy Weekend in Our Unfinished Home
The author discovers “cottagecore” through a quiz and learns it represents a simple, rural lifestyle filled with cozy, nature-themed aesthetics. This trend, which gained popularity during the pandemic, emphasizes vintage décor, gardening, and crafting. The author resonates with cottagecore, identifying more with country living than urban life. … More Cottagecore: The Quiz Nailed It, but I Had to Look Up the Word!
Ilze reflects on the passage of time since capturing a cherished photo of her daughters, noting how they’ve grown more independent and less willing to pose for pictures. While she misses the ease of past photo sessions, she values their memories and seeks advice on getting older children to cooperate for family photos. … More Capturing Real Moments: Tips for Family Photos
Berries! That’s all I can think about… Berries! Every time I head to the store or the local mini-market, I’m on the lookout for any sign of berries… Berries! Berries! Where are you, my beloved berries? If I were living in Riga, finding berries would be a breeze. I could simply stroll into any large … More The Berry Chase: A Rural Tale of Desire and Delight
Meet Julie My other friend from the early blogging days is Julie. She amazes me in so many ways, though I won’t list them all here. You should definitely check out her transformative journey—that’s how we first connected, through the Keto diet. Julie is an incredibly hard-working mom, and I admire how she’s always there … More #3: From Followers to Friends – Julie from hartlife1973.wordpress.com
The Pros 1. Flexibility in Schedule:One of the best things about working from home is having control over your time. You can schedule doctor’s appointments without worrying about getting approval or taking time off, and you can easily drop off or pick up your kids when needed. This flexibility is a game-changer for balancing personal … More The Pros and Cons of Working from Home
As you know I’ve returned to blogging, I quite cause I thouth I didn’t had time, actually I’ve lost a freind. Thinking of my dear blogging friend Roger (Grumpy Tyke) fills me with gratitude and nostalgia. Though we never met in person, our connection through blogging profoundly shaped my life. Roger, known by many as … More Remembering Roger: A Tribute to a Friendship That Inspired Self-Love
🚩🚩🚩 One red flag for me is when someone never takes accountability for their actions. If they’re always blaming others or making excuses, it shows a lack of responsibility and self-awareness. It’s hard to trust someone who can’t own up to their mistakes. 🚩🚩🚩 Ilze P.S. It seems, that I’m answering a lot of prompts … More 🚩Red Flag Alert: The Importance of Accountability
In my dream week, I’d start each day at 6:45 with a peaceful walk, followed by a refreshing shower and a healthy breakfast to kick things off right. Work would be productive, and at lunch, I’d take a long walk—around an hour—to break up the day. Dinner with family at the table would be a … More What Would be My Ideal Week
I think the pictures say it all, Ilze
I just couldn’t resist 🙂 We’ve all done it. We’re in the middle of a conversation, expressing a thought or opinion, when out pops the word “but”. It’s such a tiny, seemingly harmless word, yet it has the power to shift the entire tone of a sentence. While often necessary in communication, it can also … More The Power of “But” – Why We Should Rethink Its Use
Hello everyone! I recently had a delightful surprise at a friend’s birthday party: I came home with an enormous 15-kilo box of stunning apples! (It was so heavy, I could barely lift it!) Sunday became an apple extravaganza as I spent the entire day processing these fruits. And believe me, 15 kilos is a mountain … More A Fun Apple Adventure: From Party to Winter Storage
As September rolls in, it’s that time of year when routines start to shift and the hustle and bustle of school and work life resumes. For many families, including mine, this transition can be both exciting and challenging. After a summer filled with relaxed schedules and spontaneous adventures, returning to a structured routine requires some … More Embracing New Routines: Navigating the Return to School, Work, and Renovations
Life is full of emotional moments that bring tears to my eyes, and I’ll admit—I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to them. When My Girls Perform Watching my daughters sing, recite poetry, or perform in a play fills me with overwhelming pride and joy. Seeing them express themselves and blossom into who … More Moments That Move Me to Tears
Since I first discovered Studio Ghibli in 2004, these films have become a cherished part of my life. Their unique blend of fantasy, emotional depth, and stunning animation has captivated me and countless others around the world. While there are a few Ghibli movies I haven’t quite connected with, there are many that I return … More My Journey Through Studio Ghibli: A Collection of Enchanting Favorites
Growing up in Latvia in the 90s and early 2000s was a unique experience, especially when it came to TV. With no internet and only a handful of channels—four at most—our choices were limited, but that just made the shows we did watch all the more memorable. One of my go-to cartoons was Cow and … More TV Nostalgia: My Favorite Shows from the 90s-00s
Meet Jodi Back in 2017, my blog brought me an unexpected gift— Jodi. Jodi is a creative soul with a talent for cooking, baking, and a passion for watercolor painting that I’ve been fortunate to witness from the very beginning. Through her blog, she shares the joy she finds in life’s “in between” moments, whether … More #2: From Followers to Friends – Jodi from lifeinbetween.me
Living in a world overflowing with plastic, I initially thought reducing my plastic consumption was a Herculean task. With our daily reliance on plastic—from phones to cars to computers—going completely plastic-free seemed nearly impossible. However, I discovered that living with less plastic is both feasible and impactful. The environmental damage caused by plastic is alarming. … More How I Cut Down on Plastic: 3 Personal Tips That Worked
Hi, everyone, Welcome to the very first post in the “From Followers to Friends” (FFtF) series! I came up with this idea just five days ago and shared it on my blog yesterday. As this series is brand new, I thought it would be best to kick things off by introducing myself. This will give … More #1: From Followers to Friends – Getting to Know Me Better!
Hey there, wonderful readers! I’ve been thinking a lot about how amazing it is that we’ve built this little corner of the internet together. Every day, I get to see your posts and the beautiful photos you share also support and comments on my blog. It feels like we’re all part of a growing community, … More A New Blog Series: From Followers to Friends
Nelle captured Marley’s final days indoors with beautiful photos, showcasing his restlessness on the balcony and longing for the countryside. Marley’s return to familiar surroundings brought immediate joy and contentment. Despite missing the initial return moment, Marley’s thriving in his beloved countryside home brings comfort to Ilze and Nelle. … More Marley’s Last Days in the Flat: A Return to the Countryside
Four years have flown by and our girls have grown so much! It’s time for a new family picture to capture this moment and reflect the changes. Our last photo feels like a distant memory, and we’re excited to celebrate our growth and make new memories. Stay tuned for our new family picture! Warm regards, Ilze. … More Four Years Later: A Family Snapshot Then and Now (?)
Today marks our 14th wedding anniversary, a milestone that feels especially meaningful this year. It’s no secret that we’ve faced some tough times recently—life has thrown us more than a few challenges, and there have been moments when the road ahead seemed uncertain. But as I reflect on our journey, I’m reminded that anniversaries aren’t … More 14th Wedding Anniversary
My love for birds began in early childhood when I joined the ranks of young dancers in Salacgrīva, not even 3 years old! But wait Ilze, what is the connection to birds? Keep reading… Just like the little ones today, we performed our dance spectacularly that autumn in 1985! The audience was thrilled. Then the … More My First Memory with Birds: Autumn 1985
Hello everyone! It’s been quite a while since I last reviewed my blog, and I’ve been noticing a few things that could use a bit of updating. As WordPress has evolved over the past five years. And now I have a few thing to think about. Email NotificationsI recently discovered that all my subscribers are … More Time for a Blog Refresh: Your Input Needed!
Yet, amidst the chaos, I’ve discovered something profoundly comforting: my bath. Yes, that’s right. Even in this incomplete setting, with construction materials scattered and the faint echo of power tools in the background, I have found my personal sanctuary. Let me paint you a picture. Our bathroom isn’t exactly what you’d call “finished” at the … More Finding Joy in Imperfection: Bathtub
Welcome back! After a long hiatus, I’m thrilled to reconnect with this amazing community. I’ve missed the engaging conversations, delightful recipes, and heartwarming gardening tips. Let’s pick up where we left off—leave a comment, and let’s catch up on all the memorable moments we’ve missed! Warm regards, Ilze … More I Missed You All: Reconnecting After Years Away
Hello everyone, It’s been a while since I last wrote here (2020 – almost four years). The truth is, life has been overwhelming—so much so that writing felt like an impossible task. But today, I’m sharing my story, hoping it might resonate with some of you or at least give me the strength to keep … More A Road Less Traveled: Starting Over, One Step at a Time
Today is our tenth wedding anniversary! I baked a honey cake (a huge one! tripled the recipe) and cooked “Karbonādes” (made from pork loin) but not to just celebrate with the guests but to work hard in our manor! Instead of asking everyone to come and celebrate we asked to come and help! The best … More Wedding Anniversary
A lot has happened and it feels that I hadn’t been in the blog for a while. Not counting days because they were so busy I can’t even remember all the things that have happened! Second crop – radishes! Linna sow them and was so excited to taste one! Also to get out of … More The second crop, wedding, friends, family, etc.
So, what is another word for BUSY!? I had a dream and another woman had it too… and now we have a project to make this dream come true, together! Today I worked on the first part of this project and what can I say it’s so good to do what you love and do … More What is another word for BUSY!?
Finally, I’ve started an Etsy shop… I once sold mom’s made socks on eBay and that was way easier than sell on Etsy… but someone suggested Etsy for handmade things, so Etsy it will be! The main reason for Etsy shop was my moms handknitted 100% wool socks that are natural and warm. But I also … More Etsy shop: FamilyBizzBuzz
Receive a package from GrumpyTyke was a huge surprise as itself! Impatiently I cut and rip the package apart from the box… even bigger was my surprise seeing this: “Not to be opened until 27 JAN” OMG! Noooooo! I’m not good at this! Once I convince all my family to celebrate Christma Eve at 23rd of … More Surprise!
We all know Mondays… Really!? NO! I would say “No! It is the same as the other days!” …six years ago! But now – OMG! Tomorrow is Monday!…Twice more coffee! And like it wouldn’t be enough! That “Monday” thing is real even if you are staying at home mom. And those who are saying “Mondays … More Monday
Crazy things are happening in my life right now! I can’t sleep more than few hours… I sleep 4 or 5 times per day! I had a bad headache, that goes away and comes back regularly! I’m not ready to sit in “live” line for hours to get to the doctor. So I’m … More Crazy / What just happened!??
I have spent some time thinking about what my priorities will be for the year 2018… First of all, I want to summarise the year 2017! Have you already taken some time to get your priorities in order? I’d love to hear from you all in the year 2018 too! Happy New Year! Ilze
If you follow our family through my blog you might notice that about a month ago I start to think about cat adoption. You can find the blog post here. At the beginning, we wished for “she” and Janis wanted back and white… then… later on thinking about it again, we were ready to take care … More Introducing: Cat Marley!
Yes! You can be grounded and relaxed over the holiday season! 7 years ago I become a wife to my wonderful husband and since that year I’ve been hosting Christmas party for the close family…. that is getting bigger and bigger! When we started 7 years ago there where 8 people: Me, Janis, Jani’s parents … More Relaxed and Grounded over the Holiday season!?
“Beautiful sunny morning!” I said to Janis. “What’s the date today!?” asked Janis. I lost my voice! I had a very serious appointment, that can’t be missed… “OMG! it’s 14th of December I had an appointment yesterday!!!” I run to the computer, then bookshelf. Looked for “important” papers! And went back to the computer. “What … More Crazy Morning
It was almost 3 month since my bestie Džeina took me out for dinner…. and we both bought indoor plants! Indoor plants aren’t something new for me, but for my bestie, it’s since she killed more than one plant over the years before.I wanted to plant it in the yellow pot since I dream about … More Plant finally planted
Hand knitted socks are something our family love! All my girls have wool socks to wear in boots when going out in winter. When we have to wait until our central heating heats up the house, wool socks are just in time! My mom makes all our wool socks! More than 20 pairs per year!!! Starting … More Hand knitted socks
Is there anyone else, who never tried black tea with milk before… or even black tea as itself didn’t fit in your everyday “cup of”!? And then one day, someone sends you a package with cookies and black tea (Thank you, grumpytyke) and you decide to try… and do it properly… with milk!!! I Did it! I tried … More Tea time… all the time!
Normally day starts with loading and unloading a washing machine… hang cloth for air-drying… iron/fold and put “in place”. Imagine that?! Right every day – once or twice a day. I hate doing laundry and especially if all my effort is down the drain cause may be “the water is too hard” or “the washing powder isn’t … More Hate doing laundry!
I hope you remember my strong commitment to buying new shoes and a dress as an award for finishing DIY Kitchen units project! Sorry, but this time (as all the other times) dress & shoes were switched to vintage porcelain tea/coffee set… Well. It came almost complete but I’m used to it… There was only one … More Dress & Shoes or….
Happy birthday, mom! We are going to visit my mom in Salacgriva tomorrow. I hope the weather will be fine! Ilze
This post is a bit different! Please watch the video! Listen to yourself! This video is from today (Monday). Thank you, Ilze
Originally posted on Grumpytyke:
My Latvian blogger friend, Ilze, who I mentioned yesterday, said in answer to a comment I made on her blog that she was surprised by how much she had learned in a year of blogging. Not only can I say the same, though with me it’s just over five years, it…
I know October isn’t all about sneezes and colds! But I wrote my ever first poem…forgive me! October will be beautiful! I know! 1st of October You came in fast! I wasn’t prepared And I’m a bit scared! You come with sneezes, With coughs and colds. Unwanted layers. Socks all day long. Beautiful, October … More 1st of October
I enjoy living in the countryside. Yet we don’t have serious gardens or greenhouses or animals…. Even chickens! But still, we manage to eat good food! And by good food, I mean local food! And “very” local 20 kilometers around us! We are buying everyday food like cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, … More Happy Chickens & Happy Kids
This is funny! I don’t know if you know how to pick mushrooms but I do! And I love those rainy days that brings mushrooms here in Latvian forests. Latvia have forests and forest this year have mushrooms. How do I know? Simply! Mushrooms like boletus type are at the same place every 3 years. … More How to pick mushrooms
The first day of school in Latvia was on 1st of September and it was Friday! Also, kids in kindergarten have a small celebration and some fun activities. My girls asked for flowers for teachers and I made few flower bouquets out of flowers we had in the garden. Like marigolds, mugwort, and asparagus. Who knew … More First day of school in Latvia
That was unexpected. Viola from Berlin visited us on Sunday! My girls were happy and so was I. I knew that she flew to Latvia on Friday night but I wasn’t sure if she finds time to visit us, she was there for a cousins wedding. The bride is Janis cousin too, but we weren’t … More Nelles beloved Godmother Viola
We are still in Salacgriva. Parked near my brother’s summer house. Janis left us (girls and caravan) here and go to Riga for usual “work from office” day. He is working from home but few days in a month he drives to the Riga to work in the office. We were just girls at home … More Girls only
Today we are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary! Ilze
Sunset. Clouds and the sun. Walk. Time together. Love. Ilze
Traditional Latvian kitchen isn’t complete without caraway seeds. Rainy summer day. I and my granny are sitting in the old firewood shed. We are sitting on the table cloth. In front of us is a big pile of dried caraway plant whisk. We are taking them one by one into our hands. Rub the umbel … More Caraway seeds and my granny
Last 2 days in July were promising. Maybe the summer will come and the sun will be with us in August! Some how I remember how all the summer dresses and T-shirts had a discount on August! And it was bargain cause real summer (for 2-3 weeks) here in Latvia always started at August! This year … More Goodbye July and Hello August!
Rosebay willowherb (FireWeed) or Ivan Chai. Ivan Chai is a delicious & caffeine free tea that is made from fermented rosebay willowherb. This year for the first time I made this tea by myself. The first package of Ivan Chai I got from the family friends 2 years ago. Since that, I don’t have green tea … More Ivan Chai (Fermented Rosebay WillowHerb) recipe
It’s midnight and it looks like a full moon from where I’m sitting right now. We are back home and… decide to repair the house! Now I’m spending my days scrubbing floors before applying natural flaxseed oil for wood. We have a natural wooden floor never treated before. It’s gray and needs to be polished … More Midnight / Is it Full Moon?
I love natural flower head wreath. Usually, here in Latvia, we make them on Jāņi (more about Latvian tradition called Jāņi read in one of my previous posts) or on a wedding day. So here is how I make it. I learned it from my grandmother and she learned it from her grandmother. All you … More DIY: Meadow flower head wreath
Okey…. I can’t sleep for two night already. “What is wrong with me!?” I asked myself. I’m having a poor sleep. I had no idea until this morning! I woke up feeling tired already. What is wrong!? Maybe our caravan is parked in the “bad” place!? I started to think about what’s changed in … More Poor sleep
We are still in Latvia. Can’t start our journey. Yesterday Janis installed solar panel on the roof of caravan. We where happy – finally it’s there and we can go. But then suddenly our caravan started to blink like a Christmas tree. Safety first! 1am Janis discovered where the problem was and started to fix … More Worried
I love this tea set and I use it very often. I adore vintage porcelain especially from Bavaria region (Germany). I would buy them all if I had enough space to store… but who actually need 1000 different plates and coffee sets 🙂 This set that is made in Riga, Latvia in Soviet Union times is special … More Grandma’s tea set
This is exact half of our family 🙂 Happy Wednesday, Ilze
Today was a long, long, long day. I woke up at 7 am and went outside to catch a sunlight while girls were sleeping. After 20 minutes I went back in to check if Helmī is up and she was. Smiling like a sun from her crib! Good morning! After breakfast, we discovered that our car … More Long day…
Sorry, I forgot! I’m forcing branches to bloom every year for the last five years. And it worked! Always on time! Ready to decorate Easter table. But this year when I wanted to write about it and show “before” and “after” something went wrong. I guess the branches feels the rainy days outside. Despite the fact … More Update: Branches after 10 days
Interesting. I can’t recall how I found it, but I did and now I’m obsessed with 1st season of The Lucy Show! The Lucy Show! It’s from 60’s and I think that’s the reason why I like it so much! You can watch it on youtube. StoryLine (from IMDb): After the death of her husband, Lucy Carmichael … More The Lucy Show
Try to read this: ! w0k3 up 4nd f!nd 0u7 7h47 ! h4v3 4 n3w 7r0phy !n w0rdpr355. 7h!5 7!m3 !7 !5 1337 1!k35. wh47 !5 50 5p3(!41 480u7 1337 y0u m!9h7 45k? 8u7 ! kn3w !7 r!9h7 4w4y. !7’5 4 50-(4113d 1337 14n9u493. w!k!: 1337 (0r “1337”), 4150 kn0wn 45 31337 0r 13375p34k, … More 1337 1!k35 / 1337 likes
Finally, I can say I’m cured and the spring is here too! Finally, spring greens are coming out and we can make green smoothies, juices, and elixirs to get back on track. I’m low on iron as every spring and spring greens are essential for me to feel energized and healthy. Do you feel tired … More 3 Edible Spring Greens
So, here is an update of my branches I took inside 5 days ago! I put them in the warm water to force the blooming. I brought one branch from a plum tree, a cherry tree, a bird-cherry tree, and a larch tree. Now. This is how it looks 5 days later. I still have 7 days … More Update: Branches after 5 days
1 000 likes on my Latvian mom’s blog. That is something I’m grateful for. I wanna thank you all – my readers! Thank you for reading and for liking. For commenting and for good thought sending. Thank you! I’m still in bed with wet cough drinking herbal tea and eating berries. It’s pity I can’t … More Grateful
This weekend wasn’t as planned! Definitely wasn’t! So… as you might know, we wanted to start our first small travel trailer trip to visit my mom. We didn’t! Why? Girls were ill but getting better (on Friday morning). So we thought that we will go… We tried our caravans Truma gas heating system for the first … More Our Natural Remedies
Have you ever heard of 8th march as an International Women’s Day? Do you celebrate it? Comment below! Ilze
Tagine is here! I’m so happy to receive this! I couldn’t wait to have it. My first “maybe I need it” was 3 years ago. Then I couldn’t decide how big I want and what style. We have a lovely store in Riga – Muhamors and you can take a look at all the beautiful tagines … More Happy Mail Day #2: Tagine / Tajine
For the first time in 5 years – I slept in (I’m not sure about the right definition here… Overslept… Neah!) Let me explain. My dear mother is with us right now. I woke up at 10am. Some may say that it is not “slept in” if you have to get to work.. it’s overslept! Maybe. But … More I slept in!
Today we gave an interview for the local magazine. Usually I’m not the one who likes to be in magazines. I simply don’t wanna be popular. (Be real, you can’t get popular by giving an interview in local magazine!). …all started at the end of November 2016 when someone wrote me in the Facebook by claiming that … More Interview for a magazine
a day in the life of a latvian mom 