This week was finally the moment we’ve been waiting for — time to install the decorative corbels on the arch! ✨ We had to make a few adjustments to the arch itself first. Nothing ever goes completely smoothly in renovation, but with a bit of grinding down and reshaping, we got it ready. We spray-painted … More Adding Corbels to Our Arch
I was ready to sit down and reflect on my intentions—only to realize I never made any for March! Life has been busy, and somehow, March slipped right past me. But that just means it’s the perfect time to go back and review what I had planned for February. Let’s see how things went! I … More Looking Back at February’s Goals (Because I Skipped March…)
I don’t know where to start. Lately, life feels heavy. The flu, the renovation, dentist appointments, leaving the rented flat, and endless to-do lists leave me stretched thin. Some days, it’s hard to believe things will get better. I’m trying to accept that it’s okay to feel this way — to let the hard days … More Holding On Through Hard Days
Introduction:I’m excited to set my intentions and focus on what matters most this month. Here’s what I hope to accomplish and how I plan to make the most of these 28 days. Personal Goals: Family & Relationships: Gardening: Fun and Creativity: Renovation: That’s about it, let’s see if I can keep up with the plan … More February: Goals and Intentions
I’ve been struggling to decide on the trim for our ceiling and wall corners—it’s one of those small but important details! To help, Jānis brought in three different trims and placed them in the room so I could see how they look in person. It’s really helpful to visualize them in the space, and now … More Choosing Trim for the Ceiling and Wall Corners
I recently stumbled upon a blogger who shares her grocery shopping trips, detailing what she buys and how much it all costs. I love seeing how others navigate their food budgets and priorities—it’s so relatable and oddly inspiring! Meanwhile, yesterday we filled a cart with what felt like nothing and walked out 150 euros lighter. … More Grocery Shopping…
I’ll admit it: I’m not in the best place in my life right now. Writing this feels scary because voicing it makes it real, and I’m afraid things could get worse. Isn’t that what people say sometimes? That health or circumstances could deteriorate? Then there’s the other voice—the one that says, “Enjoy what you have!” … More When Life Feels Like a Struggle
This summer was like a juggling act gone wild! Between renovations and work, my greenhouse turned into a jungle, but surprise! My little yellow tomatoes flourished amidst the chaos. They’re so tasty that the kids can’t resist munching them straight off the vine. As it turns out, chaos can be delicious—who knew? Note to self: more tomatoes next year! … More Summer Chaos, Renovation, and the Tastiest Tomatoes
I’m excited to share that we will be starting our heating system this autumn! This means we can continue the renovation through the winter and move into the first floor. However, this post will focus on the decisions we made in September of last year (2023). As winter approached last year (2023), we faced the … More Post 5: Preparing for Winter: Reflecting on Last Year’s Renovation Decisions and Looking Ahead
The real work began when we started rebuilding from the ground up—literally. The original flooring, like much of the wood in the house, was beyond repair. But the issues didn’t stop there. Beneath the floors, we found clay, which is not good. So, we had to remove that and fill it with the sand. Since … More Part 3: Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Yesterday, we celebrated Helmī’s 9th birthday, and today the festivities continue! It’s a milestone for more than just our smallest girl—it’s the first party we’ve ever hosted in our unfinished house! And honestly, it was magical. The space is spacious and open, just what we envisioned for these kinds of gatherings. The kids loved the … More Celebrating Helmi’s 9th Birthday in Our Unfinished House
Ilze and her family embarked on a transformative journey when they stumbled upon Chestnut Manor in 2008. After years of fascination, they finally became the proud owners of the 1880s farmhouse in 2019. Despite its neglected state, the unique craftsmanship and potential of the home instilled in them a deep sense of belonging and purpose. … More Falling in Love with a Forgotten Gem: Chestnut Manor
Thank you for your vote! Ilze
Hello, everyone! I’ve recently been deep in the process of selecting floor boards for our home, and I wanted to share my experience with you. This journey was a lot more involved than I initially expected, but it’s one of those decisions that we’ll live with for the next 20 years. Here’s a glimpse into … More My Journey to Choosing the Perfect (for us) Floor Boards
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
The other day a package came and I asked – what is it? The answer was something totally unexpected: drywall stilts. Yes, there are tall, wobbly things construction workers use to reach high ceilings. The moment I saw them, I thought, This is crazy! You know we like to do everything on our own, but… … More I know what makes me anxious: Draywall Stilts!
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
It all started five years ago when we were living in Ozolkalns (small village near Gulbene, Latvia) for a year. We couldn’t decide to stay here or buy our property somewhere else. We even thought about moving to Germany, that sounded real with two small kids :). But we are Latvians and wanted to stay … More Old Chestnut tree and its manor!
a day in the life of a latvian mom 