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…
Finally! I’m frustrated! It’s been a while so… it’s interesting to feel something else than joy in your body… The reason for that is – kitchen tap! It just broke down!!!! I installed it few month ago.. and now it’s broken! Frustrated! Angry! And feeling down! It feels like my DIY kitchen project is … More Frustrated… and Tired!
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!
We had first snow on October 26. That snow didn’t stay for long, only two days! When girls saw the snow in the morning (together with the deer family) they wanted to stay home and build a snowman! So, why not. We build two small snowmen and by that time it was raining, so we placed them … More Snowman
I guess there are hundreds of ways how to make a pumpkin soup! This is one of my favorites since it requires only one pot and when it comes to boil you are free (if you have good pot otherwise – stir occasionally). I think this is a super simple & delicious recipe. Ilze
Forgot to share my progress on DIY Kitchen unit project. So here it is! Will you believe me if I’d say that I’m tired of a messy unfinished kitchen! But there’s nothing to blame but me :). And that’s hard… It’s easier to blame husband or worker than “GO&DO” by yourself! Isn’t it?! 🙂 SO, … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 3
I remember how we tasted the first batch from just received SCOBY. It was so delicious! The right amount of bubbles, sweet and sour taste – just right! Now since I’m making my Kombucha that is tea (we received our SCOBY with 2 liters of fresh black tea liquid and had to wait for 5 days … More SCOBY doesn’t feel good
(Do I always start my blog with “I”?) I’m not fit. And by fit, I didn’t mean fit like fit into UK10/US12 size dress but fit with a fit body. Cardio! Okay, I have really bad cardio! My mom is a brisk walker! And she just turned 64!!!! We had a walk on Saturday and I was like … More Brisk & Short morning walk
Linna is a bigger help in the kitchen than Nelle. Nelle would love to live in the city but Linna dreams of walks in the woods, mushroom picking and bike rides. Linna is like me… so we baked together! This dish reminds me of my childhood in the kindergarten and school too. I loved Biezpiena sacepums … More Russian sweet cottage cheese bake
Good morning everyone! Good morning Mother Nature! The first snow is here! It doesn’t look like it stays for long. BUT the fact that snow is here – is registered here on my blog. With the snow, our friends showed up for the first time this season. All girls staying home today and we will have breakfast in … More First Snow & First Time
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
I had my walk a few days ago and I took my camera with me! First autumn frosts are here but I had lucky to capture the autumn colors just before it! This was a lovely autumn evening with the sun, clouds and yellow leaves. This is how Latvia looks in autumn. And I love … More Beautiful Autumn Evening
Popcorn… Last time I ate popcorn was 7 years ago in a cinema! I can’t recall the movie, but the popcorn was good. I like salty popcorn but it somehow isn’t the treat we choose to buy or make! We can live without popcorn easily. Now with the kids, I’m looking for sugar-free treats that … More Popcorn & Popcorn maker
We were in Salcgriva yesterday for my moms birthday party. She celebrated her 64th birthday and had dinner at home. Just all together: me & my family, brother with his and my mom. She doesn’t like to celebrate or make parties. We had my favorite kotletes (meatballs!? She knows how to make delicious, juicy meatballs for … More Salacgriva / Moms birthday party
Two days ago I shared how hard it was to get going on this oven & hob section. Now I’m up and running :). I measured, I cut and glued all the boards together to make a countertop for this section a few days ago. Yesterday it was sanding & oiling. Is there anyone who likes … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 2
Happy birthday, mom! We are going to visit my mom in Salacgriva tomorrow. I hope the weather will be fine! Ilze
It was so hard to get this project going again. I dropped it cause I didn’t know if I’ll get the hob delivered or not also the cut in size was important. I waited for almost 3 months for my hob to be delivered! No, no… I didn’t order something fancy in fact these hobs … More DIY: Oven & Hob section
In my family, we never used Steamer Juicer for apple juice instead we used a cold press and then heated the juice in a big pot. Steamer Juicer was used for cranberries and currant. Steamer juicer is a great way to make homemade apple juice and sauce at the same time! I discovered it last year! … More Making Apple Juice & Apple Sauce Using a Steamer Juicer
All three my girls are different. They have a different character, different attitude, and completely different wishes! All I wish is them be happy in the life! It’s easy to lose your “true self” at school, college and work. I’m still looking for myself right now! And I’m almost 35!!! I’m not afraid of that number … More Visit: Team Riga vs Team Salacgriva
My bestie Džeina called me and offered to drive me for a walk. A little off-topic: I have a driving license for a year now but I’m too scared to drive. I’m not driving. Džeina has a driving license for almost 10 years now and finally, she isn’t scared and she is ready to drive wherever … More Day out: Stameriena / Stameriena Castle
This is something I thought of when Linna wanted to help me in the kitchen. I was in the hurry so I needed her to be off the “helping”. I asked Linna to wash potatoes while I was looking around (still mess in my kitchen – haven’t finished it!) for cookie cutters. I was lucky! … More DIY: Easy Potato Stamps
This recipe requires cooked barley. I like to cook a bigger pot of barley and keep it in the fridge when I’m feeling too lazy to cook. I love a simple Latvian kitchen that includes onions, salt & pepper. Ilze
HELP: What is the name of this dish?! Yesterday I shared a post about barley, that is wonderful for your health and is locally grown and cheap. I like this option when I’m feeling empty of ideas what to cook or too lazy to cook something that looks like in the restaurant! Barley is the … More Barley with Ham and Sour Cream
From Wikipedia: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains, particularly in Eurasia as early as 10,000 years ago] Barley has been used as animal fodder, as a source of fermentable material for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods. It is used in … More Barley
I got this idea since I started the DIY: Kitchen unit project. IDEA: Make kitchen lamp shade from spoons or other kitchen related items. After spending hours by generating ideas in my head I quit doing that. Drive to the shop and check the prices of spoons. And I mean really cheap spoons – Made … More Spoon lamp idea!
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
This post is a bit different! Please watch the video! Listen to yourself! This video is from today (Monday). Thank you, Ilze
Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Benefits: Is packed with antioxidants Boosts metabolism and burns calories Detoxifies effectively and naturally Calms the mind and relaxes the body Is rich in fiber, chlorophyll, and vitamins Enhances mood and aids in concentration Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium … More Matcha
I can’t believe it’s already more than a month since I last use my tools and worked on myDIY kitchen unit project! It feels like I didn’t do it. And if I did, I don’t know how I did it! I’m surprised. Every day looking at it! It’s time to move on! The cooktop is … More Kitchen
Cake in just 20 minutes and without cooking!? Have you ever head of Anthill cake? No!? Probably you have another name for this cake or if you really ever heard of it, it time to try it! It easy and it’s delicious! Also, add whatever you like – nuts, raisins, natural jelly candy, etc. Here in Latvia, … More Anthill / Dulce de Leche cake
Originally posted on Estonian Cuisine. Eesti Toit.:
Kurzeme Stroganoff With this food I will make a great tribute to our good neighbors Latvians. But this is a very good dish and I am from South-Estonia, what is almost Latvia:), so let it be in Estonian blog. Kurzeme Stroganoff Read more about Latvia on Ilze blog…
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
I love this super simple dinner. It comforts me! My mom uses to make this. I come from broken and poor family. Money always was a problem – cheap dinner options were welcomed. I won’t be surprised if you never ate something like this. But I love this simple food. It warms my heart and put … More Comfort food: Mashed Potatoes with Smoked Sausage Gravy
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 was outside with my camera and when I came inside, I was surprised! I found Nelle (5-year-old) in the kitchen with the bowl and handheld shredder! I asked Janis – what is going on!? And he answered that Nelle is making a salad! Her first salad ever! She never wanted to be in the kitchen. Well, … More Nelle’s in the kitchen!
If you follow me you might recall that I bought an old/vintage candle chandelier! We hung it in the kitchen/dining! Hurray! We already had dinner in the candlelight! It is as I wanted! Realy! Beautiful, romantic, rustic, useful and heartwarming! It’s pity I can’t find the right angle for the picture to show all the … More Vintage Candle Chandelier
Finally! I can proudly say – I have big enough mixing bowl. Big enough for our family! This is Mason Cash bowl I’ve been wanted for ages… 2 or 3 years :). First I saw red mixing bowl by Mason Cash with heart and I fell in love… so deeply and madly that I turn … More Mixing bowl
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
Did you know that cauliflower is much delicious in season and grown locally and organically? Yes, it is! I love cauliflowers only when they are in season. If they are imported from Poland or Spain they have a sharp and bitter taste. Not all in this family love cauliflower. I need to think about kids proof … More Cheesy Cauliflower Egg Bake
This year’s one of the biggest discoveries: Delicious Milk-Cap can be eaten right away after picking, don’t need to be preboiled and soak in water for few days! Nice! I was a bit afraid to taste it at first cause my family never ate Delicious Milk-cap fried. In our family, only mushrooms from the forest for … More Fried Delicious Milk-Cap
Woolly Milk-Cap (Lactarius torminosus ) First of all, it was very interesting to hear the opinion from a fellow blogger (from another country) of being crazy eating woolly milk-cap f. I didn’t know it is poisonous! I need to google to believe it! And this is what I found in Wikipedia: The intensely peppery taste of … More Delicious Milk-Cap / Woolly Milk-Cap
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
I was screaming loudly and running like crazy when I saw this candle chandelier in one of my favorite shop of used/vintage things from Germany! Yes, from Germany! I don’t know why actually I have an idea, but a lot of used and vintage shops getting their stuff from Germany! I love buying pre-loved stuff, … More Candle Chandelier
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
After googling I should call this cake Russian Honey Cake. Well… Let it be! Russian Honey Cake is one of my favorite cakes to make! It’s delicious, paper-thin layers with easy cream filling and the best part – you can bake it few days before assemble and assemble the day before the occasion. Also, the cream (a.k. frosting … More Delicious Honey Cake
Sorry to those who waited for the honey cake recipe from Helmī birthday! This is better than honey cake! “What’s that!?!” with the surprised face I asked Janis… “Bicycle!” “That I understand, but why it’s there!? Where did you get it and why we need another bicycle!?… Tricycle? Or whatever that is!?” “That is used … More Not the Honey cake, Honey!
Saturday morning I made few cake toppers to add to the flower pots I use for decoration. Also, I printed out few coloring pages, Max & Ruby stickers on plain paper to use for party hats that also I finished Saturday morning. Everyone can color a page or make a party hat or mask of … More Max & Ruby inspired party: Part III
After spending a day to make Max & Ruby inspired birthday garland it was time to start with all the food preparation. I made Uzbek Plov (haven’t made it for 8 years!), Rasols, Crab & Rice salad and bake all the layers for Honey cake. I was busy while my mom helped with dishwashing and … More Max & Ruby inspired party: Part II
Max & Ruby share just about everything. These two bunnies go through life together and share love, friendship, and playtime. As usual, I started with the theme and date for the party and then made the guest list. After I had the guest list, I made the invitations and send them out. Then I start … More Max & Ruby inspired party: Part I
Sunday, a day after celebrating my girls 2nd birthday party, I felt tired and empty. We went to the forest to charge our batteries and at the end of the day, I was ready to welcome Monday and start “working” on my blog posts about Helmī birthday and wild mushrooms. Mother Nature is beautiful! Monday … More I’m happy to be back!
I challenged myself to name the words starting with a certain number and then take a picture and share on the blog. You can read about it here. I use Online random letter generator and the first random letter was K. Words starting with letter K (in Latvian) Kaķis – Cat Koki – Trees Krupis – Natterjack toad Kāzas -Wedding … More Word Challenge: K
Today we are celebrating Helmī 2nd birthday. I already made Uzbek Plov, 2 cakes that look like Max & Ruby made in one episode. There still so much to do! I’ll be back to blogging soon and will post how the birthday went! Ilze
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
As you know my daughters birthday party is coming up. I decide to make an easy printable Max & Ruby Garland while two of three were in the kindergarten. Why Max & Ruby? It’s this birthday’s theme. Helmī really loves Max & Ruby series. And we are watching them in English, cause there is no … More Max & Ruby Inspired Birthday Garland
Today is Helmī Saule’s 2nd birthday! I can’t believe it! Oh, well I can believe it but still… 2 years! That’s serious! She’s not a baby anymore! She’s a girl! GIRL! This Monday she had her first one hour visit to the kindergarten. We had to play peek a boo to get her dressed. I had … More My Birthday Girl!!!!
These paper pumpkins are easy to make and sure looks cute. I made these as a gift wrapping for the “Little Pumpkin party” a.k. “David’s first birthday”. If you have bigger present than a t-shirt for 1yo, you will need bigger size paper. If smaller or few small presents, pack them in a cello bag … More DIY: Easy Paper Pumpkins
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
We receive an invitation to our sibling’s cousins 1st Birthday! They have only one cousin and that’s from Janis side. His name is David and it’s Janis sister’s first child. They were celebrating the 1st week and 1st month and 6 months and so on and now it’s finally a first-year celebration. We were welcomed … More Cousins 1st Birthday
As I told before I have to quit woodworking and start thinking about Helmī 2nd birthday. Also, I already had “theme” for the birthday. It’s “Max & Ruby”! Lovely! This is what I came up with! Simple “Max & Ruby” inspired birthday invitation. It says: “Helmī loves Max & Ruby, come and get acquainted! Saturday … More Max & Ruby Inspired Birthday Invitation
Helmī 2nd birthday is coming soon! Helmī was born on 13th of September. I remember that short night! Only 2 hours and she were on my arms. She will be two years old soon! Two! Time flys, indeed! I remember her first birthday, we were celebrating 2 days. On the 13th and 17th of September. That was … More Helmī 2nd birthday is coming
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
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
Sink and dishwasher section. What can I say…. It’s something that still isn’t finished and won’t be until I didn’t make next section and decide where I’ll store pots and pans and strainers. Where I’ll put dishes and how to hide gas cylinder for the cooktop. That’s ok. Baby steps! The mornings are so cold … More DIY: Sink & Dishwasher section
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
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
And YES! It’s final – I decide to finish my baking corner (and the rest of kitchen units I’m working on right now) with oil! Oil finish… As you know I already move into my brand new baking corner (I actually never had one before). And now it’s time to get everything out and get the … More All covered in oil
a day in the life of a latvian mom 