I’m not feeling well, as I wrote yesterday: Today I took sick leave till Monday. It feels a little strange to press the pause button after three weeks of vacation… I know this is what my body has been asking for. For now the plan is simple – rest, warm cups of tea, and quiet … More A pause till Monday
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a well-known medicinal plant, often used for its healing properties. While the leaves are more commonly collected, the flowers are sometimes harvested too. Here are more about the Coltsfoot: I personally prefer gathering just a few flowers—nothing excessive. In autumn and winter, I add a flower or two to tea if … More Have You Gathered Your Coltsfoot Tea Yet?
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
The next day, winter still lingered, wrapping the world in its cold embrace — but the sun had its own plans. As Helmi’s little ice rink shimmered on the frozen pond, the trees stood tall, basking in the sunlight. Perched on the white branches, birds sat quietly, facing the sun. They looked like tiny guardians … More Winter Whispers and Sunlit Birds
After a recent snowfall, kids cleared the snow off our solar panels, and the difference was amazing! Before cleaning, the panels were barely producing 1 kW, but after removing the snow, the output jumped to 3 kW. It was a clear reminder of how much snow can block energy production on a sunny day. If … More Cleaning Snow Boosts Solar Panel Efficiency
Last night, we stepped outside for a walk. I couldn’t sleep. The reason? I felt full after eating a croissant. Why did I eat it at 9 PM?! But at least the night made up for it. The sky was cloudy, and the tree silhouettes stood tall and still, making the world feel peaceful and … More Good Morning on Sunday!
Winter has arrived in Latvia! A few days ago, the temperature dropped, and snow started falling. It’s been here for five days now, and everything is covered in a beautiful white blanket. The world feels quieter and more peaceful, and I’m enjoying the crisp, fresh air. Crisp means there should be sun soon! The kids … More Winter is Here, Snow is Here! Where is The Sun!?
At this time of year, the sun feels like a rare guest—always hiding behind a curtain of clouds, leaving the world dark and gray. But today, nature surprised me. Just as the sun dipped below the horizon, it was accompanied by a flurry of big, beautiful snowflakes, creating a scene so magical I couldn’t help … More A Magical Sunset Amidst Snowflakes
The temperatures have dropped below zero, and the chill in the air makes it feel like winter is truly here. I can’t help but find myself eagerly waiting for the snow to arrive. There’s something about those first flakes drifting down—it’s like the world pauses for a moment, quiet and still. The snow this time … More Waiting for a Magical White Christmas ❄️
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
I love seeing that my kids don’t care if it’s hill, knoll, hillock or just a hump! Sliding down (even) the hump is fun! It’s not like we don’t have bigger humps around but why walk somewhere if you have one in the garden 🙂 They used sledge, bump slid and even bigger plastic bag … More Sliding down the…hump?!
Goodmorning. It looks like today will be sunny! I love snowy sunny days. I haven’t been outside walking for more than 2 months! Sounds crazy, but that is my life lately! I will go out for a walk today, cause I’m home and it’s sunny! Do you like walking? Ilze
It feels right to live here in the countryside of Latvia! So, so right! I like to walk and observe all the beauty Mother Nature can give to us! A beautiful day was yesterday and the new one is coming today! I promised myself to walk a bit every day. Since it’s so beautiful feels like … More Yesterday’s walk
Yesterday I shared gray winter morning in Latvia. Now it’s time for evening 🙂 Ilze
Cold and gray winter morning in Latvia. All trees on the other side of the road were covered in ice crystals. So beautifully white! Ilze
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!
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)
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
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)
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
…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…
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!
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
Now it looks like a fairytale land for sure! This is how I remembering all my birthdays: sun, snow, and at least -5C! Today my first thing in the morning was jumping out of bed, chaotically get dressed and run out with my camera…. I love it! I remember how I woke up at 4 am in the … More Oh! Hello, hello snow!
It’s been a while since I saw a doe in my garden for the last time. Finally, they are here once again! I love these animals. They are so beautiful, majestic, and free animals! The way they are eating, the way they are jumping, the way they are walking. I love it! Our living room … More Visitors
Each of the seasons is special with something different. Coldest months of the year are usually January and February when temperature sometimes fall even to -30° C, but usually no longer than a few days and average temperature in Latvia winter is around -6° C. -Discover Latvia This is what Discover Latvia says about winter in … More Winter in Latvia
One day my mom told me that she don’t like Sundays evenings.. I think it was Sunday evening…. Especially when the sun goes down… Sounds terribly wrong for me and so I asked… WHY?! When she was a child she felt sad every Sunday evening. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter.. spring or … More Sunday evening…
Today we gave an interview for the local magazine. Usually I’m not the one who likes to be in magazines. I simply don’t wanna be popular. (Be real, you can’t get popular by giving an interview in local magazine!). …all started at the end of November 2016 when someone wrote me in the Facebook by claiming that … More Interview for a magazine
I woke up and opened my eyes.I couldn’t believe what I saw!I got up and walked to the window…And there it was — a foggy winter morning. The girls were still asleep, so I grabbed my camera and rushed outside. Okay… not before putting on my down coat, scarf, hat, and mittens! 🙂 Today reminded … More Foggy Winter Morning
a day in the life of a latvian mom 