Since my mom was there we did all “preparation” for today! In Latvia, you don’t need to invite people to you name day – friends can visit you without invitations. But in real life – they would call to “greet” and you can suggest to “meet” ;). After all the cooking and house cleaning, mom … More Happy Name day… to me!
Am I getting old or what? I’ve been thinking about water bath canning since autumn when my mom made all the tomatoes on pickled cucumbers for us at her home… and was tired as hell! I didn’t have a pot big enough… And I considered buying one, but then I realize that my stove top … More Water Bath Canning
Grandma is here so all the girls have a day off the kindergarten. As always we have a ton of chores to do and Marīte is 100 times quicker than me… She wanted to fold laundry, but before that girl is giving her SPA. Linna covered her arms with Weleda regenerating hand cream while Nelle … More Ome Mārīte / Grandma Marite
OK. Do you remember our first shaker card!? I was inspired by Lana and her shaker card “Hello”! Nelle came home from kindergarten last Thursday and announced that her teacher is leaving on Friday! “She will have a baby and we have to make her shaker card!!!”… I paused… “It’s only a few hours till the … More Another shaker card!
Janis changed his work and have a new contract since 10th of January. He decided not to dig in until this Monday. So, Janis had few days off – seven working days if be exact! He spends that time doing what he normally can’t. Usually, we shop our food here in Gulbene, but since Janis didn’t … More Few days off
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!
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.
Our Cat Marley is getting friendlier and friendlier every day!! And now as far as I can tell (I’m almost 35 and I never had a cat before and I don’t look under the tail of cats I met along the way) our cat Marley is SHE! Is Marley a girl name?! Cause our cat Marley … More Marley
Another breakfast idea from my heart & kitchen to yours! I had leftover tuna and half of the tomato from tortilla night, I don’t like throwing out food. So I build my breakfast around tuna and tomato :). Now, since girls are in the kindergarten and have balanced meals there (including breakfast) our morning gets lazy … More Tuna & Avocado CousCous salad
Tortilla night! I love it! And the reason for that is – it’s simple, tasty, healthiest “fast food” recipe I know and all my family members greet this dinner with happy faces and sparkle in the eye. I wonder is it hard to make tortilla at home?! Cause I’m buying tortillas and make the filling. … More Tortilla Tuna wraps
I want to go back to cardmaking, but not that much, cause all my craft corner looks like a mess and since it’s upstairs and in the room with closed doors, I forget about it! Every time I walk upstairs (rear, cause we don’t live there) I’m surprised of what’s going on in my craft … More Our first shaker card
Yesterday I had enormous breakfast (don’t know why I thought 1 cup uncooked CousCous is OK for 2, it’s not)! There was too much couscous and since it was delicious, I ate it all! Yes, all that BIG breakfast portion of couscous :). I know that oats are better but I can’t eat oatmeal all the time. … More CousCous with Garlic dip for breakfast
If you follow my blog on daily bases you know I didn’t like Banana bread or banana “something” until I’ve tried banana muffins! The result was so Yummy that I decide to repeat that recipe and take it to the next level – for me, it’s a bit healthier version :). I loved the aftertaste … More Banana and Honey Muffins
Or should I say – Home alone with Linna? Last week was interesting! Interesting cause we were apart from each other! Janis went to Riga to sign a new contract with a new IT company. And stayed in Riga for two days. As you know Nelle has time with me on Mondays, after School of … More Home alone
Last time Nelle had her art class was before Christmas and the next time the Art School opened was on Monday 8th of January! This period without the Art School was hard for Nelle and me! She asked 100 times – When will the school open!? For example, on Monday they have to paint a picture on a sandpaper using … More Art School for Nelle
She is only 3 years old (soon 4!) but she shows her interest in cooking! I’m happy to have such girl as a helper and who new maybe one day I won’t have to deal with cooking. Not like I don’t like it, sometimes it is just too much 🙂 So, here we were yesterday, staying … More Linna’s kitchen: Meatball soup (Frikadeļu zupa)
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
If you have leftover pumpkin puree you can make Omelette with pumpkin. It’s easy and requires fewer eggs than a regular omelet. Also, this omelette I like better than one made with fresh pumpkin. Love salty breakfast and Pumpkin Omelette isn’t exception :). Without further ado, recipe below! Ilze
There is something about my feelings right now… … I can’t believe how much things have happened this year! ONE year! The first year of this blog that I made a year ago… I can’t express my feelings in English, so I hope to share a few “facts” :). First of all… I’ve started this … More My newbie blog 1-year-old already!
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
I know the title as itself is a mouthful! You must try this healthy dessert! Yes, yes, no doubt it’s healthy after all the Christmas & New Years feasting… or is it just me. Without further ado, here is the recipe! (OK, take a look at glasses! This recipe is for five small glasses, not big … More Chocolate Pumpkin Mascarpone Mousse with Crunchy Oats and Raspberries
This is good! I like where it is going! Sometimes Linna likes to help. Whenever I ask – she doesn’t want to help. She likes to come and help every time I keep my mouth shoot and ignore here. Nice! Now I will have new tactics! I will start cleaning something and I hope, I … More Linna in action!
One of my favorite recipe that requires pumpkin puree is this – soft pumpkin cookies with dark chocolate. A few days ago I cut my last pumpkin. It’s huge and to be sure that I don’t have to through it away I need to cook something, that requires pumpkin or… imagine it will be good … More Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Dark Chocolate Drizzle
Maybe for someone, it’s cheesy cause I sneaked one and a half cup of pumpkin in it!? But – Yes, it’s cheesy (like there is cheese in it)! This recipe requires mozzarella, Parmesan, and even cream cheese 🙂 I wouldn’t dare to call it healthier, but someone may, cause there is no flour in cheese sauce … More Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Pasta
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!??
Never had banana bread or cake.. or muffins before! Everyone is jumping high and sharing success with banana bread and I was like “No way!”. I don’t like baked bananas… There is a recipe for baked bananas and add ice cream on top. Crazy! Not for me! My favorite pancake recipe includes mashed banana… there … More Banana muffins
It’s too early to speak about my plans, dreams, and goals for 2018! Tomorrow girls will be in kindergarten. They’ve been asking since Christmas! They got few weeks off. As a mom, I can say, that these three girls know how to make me tired..or is it me, who wants to … More First blog post this year
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!
This might be the last I’m sharing from that beautiful Christmas morning. I bet it can get boring! Forgive me. Previous pictures you can find here and here. I hope you liked it! No more 🙂 Ilze
Yesterday I’ve shared beautiful pictures of our Christmas morning. I will share few more… I’m glad I postpone breakfast for everyone and run outside with the camera. I was a bit selfish but not all the guests and family were up… so… not feeling that guilty 🙂 So beautiful! Ilze
We woke up to a beautiful view on the Christmas morning. Mother Nature really knows how to decorate 🙂 I thought I will write something more about this morning but going through the pictures… there is no need for words. Enjoy. I hope to share more pictures later on… Ilze
Girls stayed at grandparents house cause we had the date night (one in 4 years!). I slept only a few hours before girls came home from grandparents. I was tired and sleepy and tried to deal with dirty kitchen and dishes. Janis took two older girls out to have fun in the snow. After they came … More Yesterday’s PJ party
I’m late on blogging today cause yesterday was the first time in four years I and Janis went out without our girls! Just two of us at a local youth party! We met few friends and Janis brother there 🙂 It was like a “local” party with entrance fee and free food 🙂 … More Date night!
Merry Christmas to you all! I’m glad to be with you all here in the WordPress! Thank you for stopping by and inspiring me every single day! Ilze
The night before Christmas is today! I have to be patient until 1am and then I meet all our extended family :). There still something to do, but I feel relaxed and ready to celebrate. May this Christmas season be merry! Ilze
I shared an inspirational (it was for me!) blog post a few days ago with pictures of Christmas decorations from previous years. Now I want to share this year’s Christmas decorations. As you know I decorated two times this year! And I actually didn’t want to make a second “round”. I hope you are ready … More This year’s Christmas decorations
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!?
For the last time this year, Nelle was on her School of Art on Monday. She had a wonderful time and she loves to be there. Next year she will be going for sure. But I won’t do that without my neighbor Lāsma! Thank you! She’s has already been asking how much days till 8th January.. … More Nelle’s Art School!
This years house decoration was like a rollercoaster! I made all the natural decorations (as I did before, cause I really love natural material)…. then I had to take them off, cause it felt like I have some sort of allergy… then I had to think about decorations again… And do it again! But after taking … More Decorations and our Christmas tree
This one is my first card after I finished those 55 identical Christmas cards… Thought I couldn’t touch that embossing folder anymore. But it wasn’t that bad! I had few minutes (free time!?) upstairs in my craft corner and made this: I used my new Dahle and it was precise – perfect cut! This is … More Handmade Christmas card
Our quality time together continues with the baking of gingerbread cookies. Girls loved this activity too! I start to think that they are a bit like me after all 🙂 I really enjoyed doing it, I still remember how my granny (a bit grumpy lady) explained to me that I need to cut cookies starting from … More Baking Gingerbread cookies
We spent some quality time together with girls in the kitchen. Nelle and Linna asked if they can make gingerbread cookie dough… and I said: “Why not! Go wash your hands and look for the apron!”. This time Hemī didn’t want to listen to me and didn’t followed our simple rules so she stayed with … More Making gingerbread cookie dough!
Happy 3rd Advent to you all!! I believe this is the perfect recipe for gingerbread men cookies! It’s super easy to make and tastes better than store-bought, no doubt! So don’t just sit there… go and try this recipe! Latvian Gingerbread cookies should be very thin, that means your dough should be perfect to roll … More Gingerbread Men Cookies (recipe)
What I got in the mail I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post? The best thing I could get after such a crazy&stressful morning I had two days ago! Tea and cookies from my blogging friend GrumpyTyke! What a lovely box! Thank you!!! It was right on TIME! Really! How did you do that!? I had real Yorkshire … More Happy Mail Day #7
“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
Remember that spruce cone in the top part of the electricity pole I write a few days ago!? I watched that pole ever since! And guess what I have the answer! I know who put that cone there and WHY!! Glad I watched that pole ever since… It was none other than… Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos … More Spruce cone in electricity pole
Was surprised receiving this picture from my mom. She made another pair of wool socks. This time they aren’t that traditional. For the first time, I see she made a different toe! Interesting and I love it! These will be a birthday gift for an old lady. Nice! I almost started an Etsy shop early this week for … More Another Pair (wool socks)
Advent in Latvia wouldn’t be the same without gingerbread cookies—crisp, flavorful, and melting in your mouth. And of course, no good Latvian gingerbread cookie is complete without the perfect spice mix! This spice mix recipe has been passed down from my grandmother, and though I’ve shared it before (on an old blog that no longer … More Spice mix for gingerbread cookies
As you know our kids are in kindergarten and waking up early (6:40). After they are leaving at 7:40 I’m free for my chores and hobbies… Last two weeks Helmī was a bit ill and stayed at home. Also, Janis didn’t feel good. My everyday life changed and I was so tired I didn’t want to … More Beautiful Winter Sunrise
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
OK. This is getting serious! Linna (only 3 years old) are willing to help in the kitchen! No just small jobs like adding water to a pot or just mixing salad… but bigger once like – making a salad! MAKING! Our favorite one is tuna salad (in winter)! We eat it on the toast and … More Linna’s kitchen: Tuna salad
Saw something in the top part of the electricity pole… near our house. Just lead by curiosity I went out and took my camera with me. What can it be? Finally, the closest spruce is having wonderful cones this year. I don’t know if it’s planted there, but it’s not very high 2,5 meters.. or … More Cones, Spruce cone
…they were sad when I said “NO!” to snow angels and jumping around in snow cause they were all dressed up for going to Gulbene! Yes, we have separate cloth for city and home! Otherwise, you can’t survive in the countryside! And it doesn’t matter actually, cause when I told, that we are going to … More Sad girls…
Sometimes Janis brings such “terrible” thing as crab sticks… which doesn’t have crab in it at all! But… when he did, I’m happy to make a bowl of salad or eat it “terribly” unhealthy on bred with mayonnaise :). Don’t say anything… I know… I know 🙂 If you are interested in the recipe, here … More Crabstick salad with Chinese cabbage
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!
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
Janis bought a LED Headlight for himself but girls asked politely and Janis couldn’t resist. Girls were happy to play with it. At the beginning, they just take turns and spend time close to us in our living room. We thought: don’t look into eyes with it, don’t look into light, don’t fight over it … More Having fun with headlight
Another thing for cardmaking. Not just “another thing”! Something I wanted for ages but wasn’t ready to spend 105,- Euro! Now it’s here and I got it for a half price cause it’s used but it was written: “Condition: Like” I usually don’t believe but this time it really is “like new”!!! Bargain! Introducing, my … More Happy Mail Day #6
Another breakfast simple savory breakfast food! This one even doesn’t need a recipe, but I will post it anyway. This is something my mom made for breakfast when bread got “hard”. We never wasted food (we can’t afford that!) and now I don’t waste food cause I thought well! That is how I grew up – … More Savoury Eggy Bread
Decide to number my happy mail days… reason!? Can’t name the reason… Anyway! Happy! Another metal die for cardmaking is here and I promise myself to use it whenever have time to make a card! This variety of different sized rectangles with a stitched edge was my dream ever since started the card making.It’s mine … More Happy Mail day #5
Early morning isn’t my thing since I can’t get in bad at the proper time! We have a new daily routine for girls. Previously we woke them up at 7:40AM, then dress them and drive to the kindergarten. They have breakfast there at 9AM. Now. Our new routine is: we are waking them up at … More Early winter morning
This is my favorite winter breakfast recipe! I love how leek gives “spring taste” to the quark/cottage cheese. Simple & quick breakfast idea. If you ask me I prefer savory breakfast and it’s hard to find inspiration online. It feels like everyone else love sweet breakfast. Ilze
Girls were driving me crazy at the weekend! I couldn’t explain why! They were so active and challenging! Fighting with each other, running, jumping, banging head and believing that they can fly… form sofa to armchair! Helmī was the craziest, the most active, the fastest, the crybaby and the extreme sports winner for sure! I would say discoverer … More Oh, it’s a full moon!
I’m grateful to Aija, who believed in me and gave me an opportunity to fall in love with cardmaking once again! Thank you, Aija for such a beautiful time spent in my craft corner. Last time I made cards was a year ago and it seemed impossible to get back to cardmaking after… DIY wooden kitchen … More 55 identical Christmas greeting cards
It’s interesting how I made friends by blogging! Last week I received lovely watercolor prints made by my blogging friend Jodi from USA! She is such an inspiration to me! When I first saw her blog I wanted to grow up and be like her! Now I know, that everything is in my hands! She is … More Happy Mail Day #4
Let’s start this post with “I”! I’m not a cat lover… nor dog lover. I think I’m too tired of cleaning that I’m afraid cat/dog will make a mess and I end up crying in pillow…. but…I also want to give my kids “knowledge” and “childhood” by taking a cat in our family. I’m not … More Cat as a family member
So, the Advent is here and my girls started to count down till Christmas. We started at 1st of December. Everything went as planned until Helmī got ill and stayed home and decide to destroy Nelle’s and Linna’s calendars… But I will print new ones, cause girls really love to cut the stripe off every … More Santa’s beard calendar
Sunday evening…. I would say late night for the kid. It was 10pm. I opened her bag to put washed clothes in (usually they need a skirt for dance and a sportswear for sports lesson)… and Nelle grabs notebook with a surprised face and says: “OMG! I forgot to do the homework!!!” Runs to her room … More Nelles’ first Homework
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. We lighted the first Advent candle and had time together. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,”. The Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading to the celebration of Christmas. In Latvia, we are celebrating “Christmas” on Christmas Eve and Santa will come on … More First Sunday of Advent
My kind of circus was in the town. A circus without animals! Latvia’s parliament, on May 11 reaffirmed its commitment to ban the use of animals in circuses. Since that there are only shows with clowns and acrobats allowed. For the first time, my two girls (we got only two tickets it was sold out!) … More Circus without animals
Thanks to my new neighbor, Lāsma (who has a son the same age as Nelle and moved here about a month ago), my oldest girl is registered in the school of art! Last Monday we were in the art school for the first time and she loved it! And now she’s been asking if it’s … More School of Art for Nelle
1st of December… let’s begin preparing for Christmas. I know a lot of you are ready for Christmas already (I mean decorations and advent wreath) but here in Latvia… we are running into a forest for natural material for wreath right before Advent Sunday. Otherwise, it will fall apart. A few days ago the weather … More How to make a salt dough?
Yes, Yes, Yes! It feels like I’m back to cardmaking! I began to order die cuts and embossing folders, get creative and spend time in my craft corner! Usually, I have to wait from 3 weeks to 2 months for the package to travel to Latvia. The best part is to receive it finally and to open … More Happy Mail Day #3
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!
I was surprised to find this die cut on the internet. For me, it is something so Latvian. It is not just a random pattern – it is Latvian symbol – Auseklītis! Auseklis (The Morning Star) Auseklis is the Morning Star (Venus). The symbol is one of many ancient cosmological and magical symbols used in … More Auseklītis / Early Morning Star
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!
New kitchen needs new pans! No, it’s not the main reason. We needed new pans cause we are more than we were 5 years ago when I bought my first Cast Iron pans! I bought them on eBay.de and don’t know the manufacturer. That was a Frying Pan Set of 3 Iron Skillet in sizes: 15 … More Cast Iron Pans from Ukraine
This year I made Santa’s beard countdown calendar. A bit different Advent calendar – no presents, no treats – just countdown. I can’t decide whether girls would love to see the date of the day (like a calendar) or answer to the question: how much days till Christmas!? There are Advent Sundays when we lit the … More Printable Santa’s Beard Countdown Calendar
Handmade Christmas cards aren’t cheap but they are unique and made by a person, not a machine. I started to make cards when I was pregnant with my first girl in the year 2012. I’ve been through a lot of phases since then: had time, didn’t want to see cardmaking stuff, had time and loved … More Card Making
Coffee break is better than ever with these cups! After doing some chores I love to have time with a cup of coffee and few sugary treats. Usually, it was nosy time with much disturbance and in hurry but now since all the girls are in the kindergarten I can enjoy quiet time and without … More Coffee Break & Cookies
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
Our beloved Linna’s godfather visited us on Monday. We chatted about life and how you get used to “unnormal” things pretty fast… And it’s true! In the first, you might think that something hit you very hard but after few times you get used to it! What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Linna was … More Linnas Godfather
Someone made a big surprise and visited us on Latvia’s 99 birthday! Thank you, brother! We had a lovely time together. I made Anthill cake, cause it easy to make and don’t need an oven. I printed Latvia contour and assembled the cake to look like Latvia. Everyone liked it and it wasn’t that hard! Anthills … More Celebrating Latvia’s 99 Birthday
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….
18 November is the Independence Day of Latvia — there were no borders set, a group of dedicated nationalists proclaimed an independent Latvian state on this date in 1918. Several months after this courageous step had been made, military interventions still went on — the Russian Empire did not want to lose this important territory. This day is … More 18th November – Latvia’s Independence Day
My previous blog post was the recipe for gray peas. I shared it without thinking about “gray peas” as itself. Big Gray Peas are easy to get here in Latvia cause it turns out is something completely special. So special that have been enlisted in the European Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) list. Gray peas are … More Latvian Gray Peas
This is one of the traditional Latvian dishes for the autumn and winter season. It is traditional Latvian Christmas dish! I usually make gray peas more than needed and then heat them up on the next day but not on New Year’s Eve! On the New Year’s Eve, everyone has to eat peas in order not … More Grey Peas With Bacon & Onions
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
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
My old-time friend visited us this weekend. We laughed and cried the tears of joy together. Last time he was around here was at our wedding 7 years ago. After that, he visited us in Riga on one of my birthdays about 5 years ago, just before Nelle has arrived. He has been through tuff times … More A visit from a friend
Yesterday we were in procession for the first time! I was surprised how many people were there. Also, girls liked that and I think that this will be our new way how to celebrate “Lāčplēšu diena”. I was so taken away by all the candle lights and was amazed by all the people! Ilze
Lāčplēsis Day celebration was forbidden in Latvian SSR existence, the first time it was celebrated by putting candles into windows in the year 1988. Since 1990 it is the day Latvia honors Latvian Freedom Fighters. I still remember my first candle! I was only 6 years old. I remember how I sat on the window sill … More 11th of November – Lāčplēsis Day
—wikipedia Mārtiņi or Mārtiņdiena is an ancient Latvian winter welcoming holiday when the time of pieguļa and shepherding came to an end. According to a solar calendar, Mārtiņdiena marks the midpoint between the autumnal equinox (Miķeļi) and winter solstice (Ziemassvētki), and is celebrated in the middle of November. Mārtiņi ended Veļu laiks (Time of the Dead) and started Ledus laiks … More 10th of November – “Mārtiņdiena”
This is how it will stay until spring… Have no time to continue and I’m not sure if I need to continue. Now that wall looks rustic cause there are few places where I couldn’t get the green paint of. Ant that wall already looks better in my opinion… Well, doesn’t meter! Christmas decoration will … More That Green Wall
While the massive cleaning is in the house – pretty pictures are on the blog :). Todays morning was unbelievably cool with sun and frost. Ilze
DONE! I made my kitchen! Thank you for being with me on this journey! Now.. I need to clean everything (whole house) to take a picture of my NEW & DIY kitchen! Wait! I need to sit down and think about it all… how did it happen!? Be patient it might take a while! Cause … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 4
Yellow split pea stew is my favorite winter dish! This is a dish from a childhood except we didn’t eat it with ham… we ate it with lard. This is my luxury version that includes carrot and bell paper and onions are fried in oil together with ham. There is no need for the recipe I guess, but … More Yellow split peas with carrot and bell pepper
It’s not like I don’t have anything to do! My daily schedule is full already! But.. I can’t stand that green kitchen wall. It’s so old and odd looking…. It won’t fit in my new kitchen! Actually, it didn’t fit in old one ether but then I didn’t care! \ Now I’m burning daylight by … More Green – Brown – Terrible
Yesterday I felt down… I felt tired, empty, a bit angry but most of the time anxious! I called the seller and he wrote an email to the manufacturer! He hopes to get another tap holding screw… … but if you ask me, I would say, manufacturer, don’t physic and don’t do testing. It took … More Yesterday’s trouble…
a day in the life of a latvian mom 