Day 4: A Different Kind of Day – Surgery, Final Dip and Rainbow

Day 4 was different from the rest of our time in Salacgriva. We had to make a trip to Riga with Linna, as she needed to undergo surgery. It was a dental procedure, and while it wasn’t her first, the thought of full anesthesia always makes me anxious. It’s hard to believe this was her … More Day 4: A Different Kind of Day – Surgery, Final Dip and Rainbow

Day 1: Reconnecting with Salacgriva – Embracing the Sea

Salacgriva holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I grew up, where familiar faces and cherished memories intertwine with the salty sea breeze. I had the chance to reconnect with this beloved hometown and let me tell you, it was a return worth celebrating! For the past few years, my busy schedule had … More Day 1: Reconnecting with Salacgriva – Embracing the Sea

Saturday fun!

Is Saturday for work or for fun!? We had fun before work. Finally, after I don’t know how many months… I think almost 2 years we visited our neighbour and actually Nelles classmate! They hadn’t seen each other since March 16! We celebrated the end of the school year and since we didn’t go to … More Saturday fun!

Salacgriva

I went to Salacgriva to charge my batteries! I didn’t take a camera with me but I took a laptop to be sure I have an opportunity to write a blog post or check my email (don’t like to check my mail on the phone). So, my mom loves to walk at seashore and dunes … More Salacgriva

Yesterday

I’m easy on naming my blog posts… Friday, yesterday 🙂 Yesterday I thought I will do all the paperwork, but sadly Linna got ill – eye infection and stayed home. So, no paperwork for me. Plus the weather was terrible – windy, wet and cold! We had “coffee break” between house chores. Coffee for me … More Yesterday

Sunny & hot

Can’t believe the weather this year! It’s so hot and sunny for weeks! Haven’t rained or at least not in the daytime. Maybe few nights had rain but it wasn’t heavy for sure! Usually, it’s not that hot here in Latvia. Those who love warm weather are happy now. When I was in Salacgriva for … More Sunny & hot

Grandma’s house

My grandmother Agafia died in the year 2004. Unfortunately, I can’t share a picture of here with you at the moment. I think when I’ll get back home I will find Agafia’s picture and will write a special blog post about her… But for now, I can share a most peaceful place on earth – my childhood memories, my … More Grandma’s house

Happy Mother’s Day

We aren’t all mothers, right? But we all have mothers! Happy Mother day to all mothers all around the world! Especially those moms who follow my blog and inspires me: Jodi, juliehcares, visionsofmy60s.com, atticsister, higginsmj …and I bet there are more! Happy Mother’s day to you all! Ilze

Big Cat

I love this cat! I love how big he is! I asked if I can take a picture of him to show to my followers. He didn’t say anything so I think he don’t mind 🙂 He is only two years old and he was rescued when he was 5 months old. Last summer he was … More Big Cat

This is huge!

After spending some quality time in my hometown with my family, Janis took the girls and they went back home… and I stayed on my own in a quiet, tidy and homie caravan! ONE MY OWN for three days (for 3 1/2 days)! Explanation: So, since I’m a mom, about 5 years and 11 months … More This is huge!

Hometown Salacgriva

Our next stop was Salacgriva. We all wanted to meet my mom. Girls were sad when we left Gauja National Park, cause they meat wonderful friend Normunds and didn’t want to leave. But when I told that next stop is Salacgriva, they were so happy! Linna especially! So, after a one and a half hour … More Hometown Salacgriva

Gauja National Park – Ligatne: Cliffs and Nature

Those who follow me since the beginning know that I’m not interested in seeing cities and museums. I love nature! We opened our caravan season on Friday, 4 May by heading to the rural property of our friends’ family near Līgatne (Latvia) in Gauja National Park territory. All the property is suited along the cliff and … More Gauja National Park – Ligatne: Cliffs and Nature

Our beloved caravan

I think I didn’t mention that we pulled out our caravan from neighbors barn (read Jani’s parents barn)! Towed to the car and brought it here!     It feels like summer can begin! I know it’s far from summer cause wind just pull up our trampoline and throw into the porch… but still: good … More Our beloved caravan

Sunny Sunday Walk

It was sunny and summery weather here in Latvia today! +19C! Most of the summer days are +19C (OK, OK, just 1/4 of all summer days are +19C) here in Latvia. Since we experienced such a lovely weather I put away my computer and Bussines Plan and go for the walk! We didn’t walk much … More Sunny Sunday Walk

Yesterday’s walk

It feels right to live here in the countryside of Latvia! So, so right! I like to walk and observe all the beauty Mother Nature can give to us! A beautiful day was yesterday and the new one is coming today! I promised myself to walk a bit every day. Since it’s so beautiful feels like … More Yesterday’s walk

Walking in the winter wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland And later on, we’ll conspire As we dream by the fire To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made Walking in a winter wonderland. Ilze P.S. More about the song here.  

Enchanted forest

We can’t imagine a better way to entertain kids and awaken their imagination than a walk into an enchanted forest on a sunny day as it was this Sunday! I call this forest (that is actually more like woods 50 meters away from our house) enchanted cause I and also my girls believe these 100-year-old trees … More Enchanted forest

Monster Truck!

My new neighbor Lāsma and I we had a walk a few weeks ago. I have three girls and I went outside for walks constantly.. in the mud, in the snow, in the sand… Never ever had a problem! But look at this! 🙂 This was funny for a moment, but actually – got a bit … More Monster Truck!

Very Free Range

A few days ago we were visiting Janis uncle and talked about how easy/hard is to keep free range chickens for eggs. I know I’m not that type of person who can remember feed animals every day, and clean after them… As kids, we have rabbits at my grandmother’s house. Me and my brother we … More Very Free Range

Dark & Unpleasant

This pond is in the Janis parents property. In the spring I love to walk to the pond and sat in the swing and watch how Nature wakes up. Few days ago I took my walk and can’t believe my eyes. It was so dark, so mystery, so unpleasant…. I took the picture and walked away … More Dark & Unpleasant

Puddle selfie

Yesterday wasn’t a good day. It felt like “Friday the 13th. I got a headache. All girls were crying and didn’t wanted to go to kindergarten. I guess they had a wonderful weekend. Mondays are hard in this household especially when the weather is gray and rainy. I had a short walk, a bit longer then … More Puddle selfie

Just an apple!

I’ve been amazed by Mother Nature many times before. This one is something I needed so much! I walk outside to take the picture of snowman – shared yesterday! And saw this! That the only one apple in the tree (this year we had only a few apples, wasn’t a good ear for apples!) made me … More Just an apple!

Frosty & Cold Morning

Brrr…. this was a surprise for all of us when we opened our eyes on Saturday morning and saw frost! Unexpected! Completely unexpected! The previous evening was beautiful and warm. I’m happy I was outside capturing all the beauty! Cause it was the last time this year we could enjoy the beautiful Latvian autumn colors. … More Frosty & Cold Morning

Rainy days – walk

It’s been raining here in Latvia. I feel how changes our routine… time spend outside now is spend inside. Walks get shorted and fewer. I don’t like it! We all need to go outside and have a walk to be awake and in movement! Movement is life, health, and happiness. Life without movement stagnates and declines. It’s hard to … More Rainy days – walk

Full Moon

I don’t like full moon. OK. I don’t like full moon in the autumn. … especially when it’s raining outside and the moon is hiding behind dark clouds…. … and when  I’m the only one grownup in the house! And last night all THAT came together! I was home alone with Helmī, outside was raining, dark clouds … More Full Moon

Reusable cup

Finally, I bought the reusable coffee cup/mug or whatever it’s in English!! I had stainless steel bottles for water. Fill up and never buy bottled water again. I thought we don’t need a reusable cup for coffee cause we are drinking our coffee at home and don’t take the coffee with us. BUT! I don’t know … More Reusable cup

Forest walk

Do you remember this picture from the post a few days ago?! I love it! In that Sunday we had walked in the forest to charge our batteries and I forgot to share more of those lovely pictures. So, here you go! Helmī and Linna were sleeping in the car while Janis was working beside the … More Forest walk

Woolly Milk-cap

I can’t resist foraging for mushrooms this year! Especially when there are a lot of mushrooms everywhere. I don’t like forage for mushrooms in big/unknown forests alone. But this year to get wild mushrooms you don’t have to drive to the forest. I can forage mushrooms near home. Only 10-minute walk from my home! How can you resist … More Woolly Milk-cap

My favorite wild mushrooms

As you know I love to go foraging for mushrooms and also you know that this year mushrooms are all over the place. Or at least where we live :). What’s my favorite wild mushrooms? These! – Suillus luteus (Slipery Jack) – Leccinum aurantiacum – Boletus reticulatus Schaeff. (Summer Bolete) – Leccinum variicolor Watling – Lactarius torminosus (Woolly Milk-cap) – Lactarius pubescens … More My favorite wild mushrooms

Sunny Walk

The kitchen is very important to me. I love to cook and bake and I love to drink tea in the kitchens arm chair. I made a decision to finish the kitchen. I didn’t have kitchen units, walls weren’t painted and I didn’t feel like home. And you probably know that this house doesn’t belong to … More Sunny Walk

Girls only

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

Randu pļavas

Yesterday we were celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary. We left our three girls to my mom for an hour and a half and had a walk in the Nature reserve Randu pļava. The Randu pļava is a nature reserve covering the area of Vidzeme seaside from Ainazi till Kuivizi. The 200 ha area is home to approximately 600 Latvian … More Randu pļavas

Permaculture Festival…

Today we are driving to Permaculture Festival. It’s 4th Permaculture festival this year but I never heard of it before. What is permaculture festival? It is a great event where people meet with smiles, trade knowledge and ideas about how to live in beat with nature. Will see. I’m interested in soil regeneration and compost building and Janis … More Permaculture Festival…

Sea: Gulf of Riga

We call it sea. But it’s a gulf.Doesn’t matter. Nelle calls it a big lake. Anyway… Girls were at sea again. It’s not that warm yet but Janis and girls love the sea and I think free time might be handy. So, I let them go and have fun in the sand…. not water! It’s … More Sea: Gulf of Riga

Back in Latvia

We are back in Latvia. But no at home. We will travel around here for a few weeks or so. The weather in these two days isn’t “good”. It’s rainy, windy and cold. We aren’t used to such weather after having +30 🙂 in Germany. Our last travel day was looooong. We drive 949km per … More Back in Latvia

No way! Leidersbach

No way! After having a good time in Lich, we couldn’t head back home. It just didn’t feel right. We all felt like we need to travel a bit more…. just a bit more before we head back. We drive a bit down (away from Latvia) and stayed at a funny small city called Leidersbach. It’s … More No way! Leidersbach

My happy place

As you know we were in the Berlin for a few days and the main reason was to see Viola – Nelles Godmother and to celebrate Nelles 5th birthday. We decided to leave the caravan near family friend’s house and drive all the way (more than 400km) to the Berlin just by the car. That … More My happy place

Nelle turns 5!

Nelle turned 5! She had her birthday in one of the Berlin’s park. The day started early and Nelle got here birthday crown from Godmother and called herself a princess. We woke up early – had breakfast and went to the park to be sure we had the BEST spot in the whole park. And … More Nelle turns 5!

Getting worse!?

Oh it looks like it is getting worse! We started our journey today. And that’s good! But there is “BUT”. Janis is getting ill. He is having angina and he looks tired. Can’t swallow, can’t speak… His body temperature is getting higher and higher. And… he is the only driver! We are in Lithuania and … More Getting worse!?

Worried

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

New staff

 Today I had two knew employees in my kitchen…. or should I say outside the kitchen! Girls saw me washing dishes outside and took the job over. I don’t know if they will show up tomorrow but today they got upset when I told that all the dirty dishes are clean. Happy Latvian mom, Ilze … More New staff

Long day…

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…

Daffodils!?

I was surprised to saw tiny daffodils growing in my flower bed… they weren’t there last spring! I stood there for a while and enjoyed this unexpected beauty! And suddenly I remembered – I plant them last Easter! I had them for the Easter decoration and later I didn’t throw them away – I planted them! … More Daffodils!?

Review: LEISURE DIRECT GLW-82706 portable washing machine

We bought our camper washing machine about a month ago. About our chose and reason why we need one read here.   This is our first impression for LEISURE DIRECT GLW-82706 230V PORTABLE WASHING MACHINE. First of all our requirements are: big enough to put in a double sized duvet cover (200 cm x 220 … More Review: LEISURE DIRECT GLW-82706 portable washing machine

European pine marten

Oh! That was a surprise! Something in the apple tree.. jumping… from one to another… squirrel! But wait! It is not a squirrel! What is it!? It is a European pine marten I guess! Can’t see! I stood quietly at the window and looked at the “pine marten”. That was all I can do, had … More European pine marten