Today I finally sat down and spent an entire hour replying to all the blog comments I’ve been meaning to answer for days. I truly didn’t expect it to take so long, but reading your thoughts, memories, and kind words always makes me feel like I’m catching up with old friends. Thank you for taking … More Catching Up & A Cry for Help
Saturday night turned into early morning. I couldn’t fall asleep—wide awake until 4AM. Maybe it was the full moon, maybe it was the one cup of cola I had (and I never drink caffeine!), or maybe just life’s current chaos, but sleep simply wouldn’t come. I had restless legs, and I stepped outside, thinking some … More 4AM: Can’t believe my eyes
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
Yesterday, I saw them again—the doe family that had visited throughout the winter. It was a quiet and peaceful sight, one I had almost forgotten in the bustle of everyday life. They had come regularly when the ground was covered in snow, searching for food, their graceful forms blending into the stark landscape. But by … More The Return of the Doe Family
Spring has arrived—or at least, that’s what the past few days wanted us to believe. The sun finally broke through, the air warmed up to a delightful +14°C (57F), even reaching +16°C (60F) in the afternoon. It felt like a reward after the long, dark winter. Birds sang louder, the soil softened, and the first … More The False Spring and the Inevitable Frost
Friday morning, we woke up to a thick layer of snow—silent, unexpected, and beautiful. Just when it felt like spring was near, winter had other plans. The trees stood heavy with fresh snow, and our house looked even cozier against the white landscape. None of us were thrilled, a thick snow blanket covered the road … More A Morning Surprise: A Blanket of Snow
After what feels like an eternity, I’m finally starting to feel okay. The lingering fatigue still tugs at me, making the idea of sleeping the entire day quite tempting. Yet, when night falls and it’s time to rest, I find myself wide awake, unable to close my eyes. Today, however, brought a pleasant surprise. The … More Embracing the Sunshine Amidst Restless Nights
When apple trees bloom I feel summer is near! It’s getting warmer and warmer and the grass is growing inch per day! Apple trees are in bloom now in Latvia! This year orchard looks like a blanket of light pink flowers full of bees and other insects. Still a lot of dandelions 🙂 But I … More When apple trees bloom
Rhubarbs! Normally in Latvia, all country houses have one big rhubarb growing next to barn or in the garden. But not this old house! There is small rhubarb here but it doesn’t like to grow in this soil. But the best part in all this is, that Lāsma (neighbor about one and a half kilometer … More Preparing for a party: Rhubarb
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
Till today I thought there are only one species os swans… well not true! There are three different species in Latvia. These ones (below in the picture) are Mute swans (Cygnus olor). These two are in the pond next to our grandmother’s house. Beautiful birds. And so big! I had the chance to see them … More White Swans: Mute swans
This year’s first picnic was yesterday! It was windy and not at all sunny, cold and terrible… but I love nature and how it gives us energy! Our picnics are spontaneous, quick, environment-friendly, almost sugar-free and short. I don’t cook for hours and we don’t enjoy sitting in a picnic spot for hours. Also, I’m … More First picnic this year
Yesterday, I submitted my Business Plan and had a little party at home :). Actually, it was because of Ronalds (Helmī godfather) who came to us from Germany! Today we used Ronalds as a personal driver and went to Gulbene for a walk.. or so we thought! The weather was so cold and windy and terrible, … More Cold, Windy but Lovely!
Finally, I stepped out to see what’s blooming around our house. We don’t have flower beds (ok, one small with daffodils) so all the beauty is from wildflowers. Like these ones… … I called my mom to ask the name. I know there are such flowers white and yellow (we had them in my grandma’s … More Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
A spontaneous picnic is the one I’m talking about. Can you pack for such picnic in 5 minutes? All you need is quick, free from cooking, cutting and mixing lunch box ideas! Grab and go! Usually, we have our picnic in the nearest forest (only 10 km away from home & people) that belongs to Latvian State … More How to Pack for a Picnic in 5 Minutes
This is exact half of our family 🙂 Happy Wednesday, Ilze
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!?
Last 3 days I felt tired, sleepy and dreamy! This is that stage when you decide to take coffee (I usually don’t drink 2 cups per day) and after an hour realize that you left your coffee cup in the kitchen and it’s still half-full… Since we live here it happens every spring. I need greens! … More Stinging Nettle for Energy Boost
Yesterday we packed first two suitcases for upcoming caravan trip… and packed two more bags for small get away to my hometown: Salacgriva. We decided to visit my mom and “change the decorations”. About Salacgriva: It’s a small town located near Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), close to Estonian border. See here. If you ask me – … More Hometown
End of the April. And deer family is still visiting us?! It is so cold this year. I might say, that spring isn’t started yet. Three weeks ago we had a bit of a sunshine and now it’s snowing. Terrible! A few years ago we had plum trees blooming at the moment. But now… … More Our deer friend
A few weeks ago we went for a longer walk with all our girls (Nelle, Linna, and Helmī Saule). It’s not easy for us to went for a longer walk. Nelle doesn’t like walking, she likes to go with a balance bike. Also, if Nelle has a balance bike, Linna wants it too. But she … More Coltsfoot is blooming
Common hazel is blooming. I woudn’t notice it few years ago, but know my oldest doughter is almost 5 years old and she shows me everything: birds in sky, blooming flowers, bees and buterflies and few days ago she showed me “Wierd things are coming out of those branches! What is that?”. So it’s a bloom … More Common hazel / Corylus avellana is blooming
Winter is still standing behind springs shoulder. It was snowing yesterday! Easter snow?! Never happened before (or maybe I can’t recall…) Yesterday the ground was wet and warm and snow didn’t stay for long. But today I woke up to the white ground…. and it is freezing cold outside! -7C! The lowest temperature on April 18 … More Snow, freeze, and Christmas… I meant Easter!
I should walk to that pussy willow tree again tomorrow… or whenever the sun will come out! This is the first tree, that is blooming here in Latvia…. and one of the first plants that are blooming: snowdrops and pussy willows… what else? I can’t recall. Coltsfoot?! But I guess that’s later. So…the pussy … More Pussy willow tree in bloom
End of the March would be nice! …snowdrops are better then our muddy road! Ilze
I’m 34 now (almost, at 8:30pm)! Well… I’m surprised! I can’t remember the birthday with mud and rain! It’s usually something between “Snow forever!” or “Wow, It’s getting pretty cold!”. I remember how half of my birthday guests didn’t arrive because of cold. It was -27C for a week and I turned 25 in that freezing winter. … More Birthday Girl: 34
a day in the life of a latvian mom 