Everyone seems to be making New Year’s resolutions today. Lists, goals, promises to become someone faster, better, more disciplined. That has never really been for me. If anything, I feel ready to do the opposite — to slip deeper into winter. To rest. To unwind. To let life move slowly for a while. Outside, the … More First of January
The morning started with another delicious salad straight from the garden. 🥗 I just love this daily ritual—fresh, simple, and full of summer flavor. The big news today? I finally brought my sewing machines back home. It’s been a while—I originally gave them “just for a week”… and never got them back. 😅 But now … More Vacation Day 4: Sewing Machines, Zucchini & a Rare Rainbow
This morning started with collecting the delicate flowers of the common evening-primrose. Their soft yellow petals feel like little pieces of sunshine—wild, gentle, and fleeting. Then came a lovely breakfast straight from the garden, followed (of course) by my favorite ritual: coffee with ice cream. ☕🍦 All the sofa cushions are finally dry and clean! … More Vacation Day 3: Primrose Flowers, Sofa Dreams & A Bath
My first day of vacation was… nice. Nothing dramatic, nothing wild — just the kind of slow, easy start I’ve been craving. I woke up at 9am (no alarm, thank you very much!), stretched out slowly. Breakfast was simple and nourishing — some fresh veggies, which somehow taste even better when there’s no rush to … More Vacation Day 1: Walk, Horseflies and Sofa Cleaning
After months of juggling work, renovation dust, and family life, tomorrow marks the official start of my vacation! No meetings, no emails—just time to breathe, stretch, and maybe even finish a cup of tea while it’s still warm. 🫖✨ Yes, I’ve had time off before… but it usually meant hard labor—renovating, cooking, fixing something. And … More Tomorrow It’s Official!
A new month begins—and this one feels different already. August means vacation time for me, and I plan to embrace slow living in its fullest form. I want to rest deeply, create gently, and give time to the things I love the most: watercolor, journaling, being outdoors, and enjoying the simple rhythms of home. There’s … More August Goals & Intentions
I can’t believe July is already over! We didn’t set any formal goals this month—and honestly, with summer in full swing and both of us working full time, that was more than enough. July naturally became a month of slowing down, enjoying home, and letting the simple beauty of the season unfold around us. But … More What We Achieved in July
Today, I walked into my so-called “green room” — our special occasion dining space — and was instantly hit by a wave of scent and nostalgia. There it was: the black oak table, covered with a white cotton bed sheet, herbs spread out to dry in the warmth of summer. I paused. I had seen … More The Table That Remembers
It’s the last week before vacation, and while many people are packing suitcases or making travel checklists, I find myself leaning into something much simpler: staying home. We don’t have any grand adventures planned—just a short trip to Salacgrīva to celebrate my brother’s birthday. The rest of the time, I’m looking forward to something that … More The Last Week Before Vacation
This past weekend was meant to be all about Gulbene’s birthday celebrations – the plan was simple: my brother and his family would come over, we’d all head out to enjoy the city festivities, and end the evening with a concert under the stars. But as life tends to do, plans shifted, and honestly… I’m … More Change of Plans, Loads of Fun: A Weekend to Remember
This is my first time trying – In a Vase on Monday! Thank you, Cathy at Rambling In The Garden. So this is my vase… Yesterday I was in the forest. I gathered what summer offered me: tiny wild strawberries and blueberries, nestled among fresh green leaves. There’s something magical about arranging edible finds—like bringing the … More In a Vase on Monday
This morning I woke up at 11am and couldn’t open my eyes. It was so dark outside — and just as dark inside — that for a second, I thought it was already evening. You know that strange twilight feeling, when the sky doesn’t care what time it is? I tried to shake it off … More When the Forest Calls Through the Rain
I almost missed it. Honestly, I can’t believe I did. I felt it… With all this gray sky, endless drizzle, and heavy summer clouds, I hadn’t even thought to look up. July has felt like one long sigh — cold, damp, and dreary. I’ve been indoors too much, moving from one to-do to another, hoping … More The Moon I Almost Missed
Hello, July! June passed quickly — full of rain, a few small wins, and some things that just didn’t go as planned. And that’s okay. That’s life. We didn’t get to start on the bathroom like we had hoped. The worker who usually helps us had to take care of some personal issues, so that … More July Goals & Intentions
I just realised it’s the last day of June!!!!June brought steady rain and moments of celebration — a month of quiet wins and the familiar chaos of real life. Here’s a look back at the goals I set at the start of the month and what we managed to accomplish. But first June gallery! How the June … More What We Achieved in June
The June solstice is almost here. On Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 05:42 in the morning, the sun will reach its highest point over Gulbene—and we’ll be living our longest day of the year. It’s hard to ignore. The light stretches forever. Evening feels like afternoon, and morning arrives so early that the birds start … More The Longest Day – Summer Solstice in Latvia
I’ve been struggling lately, feeling like everything around me is too much. Work, home, life—it’s all felt overwhelming. So, I made the decision to take 4 days off from work and do nothing at home. I ignored the chores, let the laundry pile up, and let the dust settle. Instead, I spent the time watching … More Taking a Breather
After sharing how I lost half of my tomato plants, I wasn’t sure I’d even write another post about them this season… but here we are. The second half of my tomatoes are now planted out—and I’m crossing all my fingers and toes. These are my last seedlings. They were struggling in their pots (plugs!) … More Garden Diary: The Last Tomato Hope!
I just realized I forgot to share a little glimpse into our Mother’s Day this year—and it was too lovely to skip. I want to remember it forever. Kids grow fast! Sunday started with a surprise: breakfast in bed, lovingly made by my girls. It was the sweetest gesture, and a quiet moment just for … More A Quiet, Lovely Mother’s Day 💛
This weekend felt like a little celebration—I finally planted out the monthly strawberries I grew from seed earlier this year! Watching them grow from tiny specks in the soil (it takes a lot of patience; they grow slowly) to strong little plants has been a gratifying process. These aren’t your usual garden strawberries; they’re monthly … More Planting Out Our Homegrown Strawberries 🍓
We had a burst of summer warmth these past few days, but now it’s back to the chill — just +11°C again. Yesterday, I noticed the Prunus cerasifera in bloom — the first tree to flower on our land each spring. It always arrives too early, like a quiet whisper before the season truly begins.And … More Prunus cerasifera: The First to Bloom
Right now, I’m sitting in the living room—in our old chair, laptop on my lap. On the right, the windowsill is full of plants soaking up the light. On the left, an absolute army of tomato seedlings—around 120 in total. They’ve taken over the space, tall and cheerful, stretching toward the sun as if they … More A Nice Living Room Moment
oday is my birthday! Another year older, another year wiser—at least, that’s what I tell myself. Birthdays are always a mix of emotions for me. On one hand, I don’t like too much attention, but on the other hand, it’s a good moment to reflect on how far I’ve come. Being a Pisces, I naturally … More It’s My Birthday Today! 🎉
So, I usually take a midday stroll, but now I can walk anytime in my unfinished house area. There are cool trails nearby, and I did a nice 1km yesterday at 6am. The sunrise and fog were just stunning. It felt magical and peaceful. I really love this place! 🧡 … More Couldn’t Resist: A 6AM Walk Through Fog and Sunrise
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!
I think the pictures say it all, Ilze
a day in the life of a latvian mom 