Midsummer simplicities

It’s been raining so much in here lately. Days and nights of heavy rain made everything grow so fast!
Unexpectedly the mushrooming season is officially opened! I couldn’t find any better way to celebrate midsummer than foraging in the woods!
So yesterday morning, I was impatiently waiting for the rain to stop pouring at my window, a cup of hot coffee between my hands. As soon as the rain stopped, I rushed to put my shoes on, grabbed a basket and headed out to the woods.
I was so surprised to see so many chanterelles popping out of their mossy blanket. Most of them were still very small so I let them grow a little bit more.  But some others were already so big! I couldn’t leave these ones behind! We also found some wild strawberries! That was the very first time that I saw them growing in the wild. I've never had the chance to taste them before, and I was so surprised by their flavor! We first intented to bring some back home, but oh well, we ate them all... The weather forecast for next week is for heavy rain everyday. Which means that even more mushrooms will end up in my plate!

How did you celebrate midsummer this year?

* On the first two pitcures: I bought some chamomille at the market. It's drying in the kitchen right now. I'm saving it to make summer infusions and teas, and the smell is heavenly!

* The winners of the Blucase giveaway will be announced at the beginning of next week!

A blucase giveaway

After spending two lovely weeks with my parents in France, I'm back to Latvia, my luggages filled  with treats from the countryside (and yarn). Whist I was in Paris, I realised that it was time to say goodbye to my dear old laptop and get a new one. After working for seven years with the previous one, it became more and more difficult to work with it. Since the laptop is quite thin, I needed to get a new case as well. But the one that I saw didn't really please my eyes. I wanted one that could both protect my new acquisition and match my aesthetics. So when I saw the Blucase ones, I immediately knew that I had found the perfect one: minimalistic design, neutral tones, linen fabric, tiny frontal pockets...

So this week, two lucky Mandarine's readers will receive a linen laptop case generously offered by Blucase. For a chance to win, hop over to their Etsy shop to explore their handwork, like their facebook page and leave a comment back here, complete with contact information and tell me which natural product/ garment you like to use/wear the most.

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The giveaway will close on Friday evening at 0:00 pm EDT and a randomly selected winner will be announced on Saturday. You don't have to follow this blog in a reader, pinterest, or instagram in order to enter, but if you're new here, it'd be great to have you. Comments closed! Congratulations to pompomcraft & kefanderson.

Homesteading dreams

Snippets of the beautiful countryside and my dreams of living this kind of life. For a few days, my parents and I are renting a little farm. Every morning, I'm awake by the sound of the rooster who's excited to announce the early hours of the day. I gather rosemary to perfume my bread and eggs from the little chicks that live in the small field next door. I give cuddles to Roxie the marrocan cat, and feed carrots and salad to Popo, the little poney. The bumblebees are chubbier than anywhere else, their bellies full with the pollen that they collect from the colorful flowers. My heart feels so happy in this little farm.

Botanical in Paris

Jeans: old / Jumper: Cotton from H&M / Bag: Monoprix (old) / Shoes: Seychelles

Since I left my dear Latvian woods, I've been taking daily walks here in France. Every single day, I take a long walk in the field behind my home. I was already able to find some early cherries that I brought back home for my mom to make jam. But I wanted to have a different scenery today. If you're following me on Instagram, you might already know where I spent my afternoon!

Le Jardin des plantes is my favourite park in Paris. That's the place where I like to stop with a cup of coffee and read a good book whilst admiring the beautiful plants of the jardin d'hiver. Even though I didn't have the chance to read a single line today because of the rain, I enjoyed snapping pictures, listening to the birds singing, and walking along the green ailes of the garden.

A knitter's natural wishlist

Here's what I have in mind these days.

1.I'm still dreaming of natural fibers, and these Kelbourne woolens, Road to China yarns are absolutely stunning. I wouldn't be able to choose among them. 2. This little basket is adorable, and I could easily use it for my stash or to carry my groceries at the farmers market. 3. Natural soap for woolies. 4&7. I like to keep a tiny piece of soap or a little pouch filled with dry thyme & lavander in my projects bags. It does not only make my wips smell fantastic but it also keeps clothes moth away. 5. Since I'm at my parents home, I'm constantly using their essential oils diffuser, I wish I could bring it back to Latvia with me. 6. More linen, yes!

Sneek peak: an early Summer week

These days the weather has been so beautiful. I thought that Summer was already here. I spent a couple of evenings with the window open in my kitchen, reading a bit about fermentation and natural dyeing whilst a  breeze of air spread the delicate perfume of lilac all over the room.

Lately, I've found myself spending more time in the kitchen than usual. Every week, I get to try a new fermentation recipe. And bit by bit, a new jar is added to my collection, filling this little space of mine with new colors and smells. This book has been my main source of inspiration, not only for the great recipes but also for the story and reflection behind fermentation.

Since I just have a bit left to work on my Helga cardigan (1 1/2 sleeve), I couldn't resist the urge to cast on the pattern that was on the top of my list for quite a while. I've only worked a few rows of Keynote, but I already love the way it looks. The wip is still quite small for now and it fits perfectly in my new linen project bag. I always like to add a piece of soap close to my yarn, it adds such a nice smell to it. I do the same thing for my clothes - a piece of soap or two in my wardrobe and my dresses smell divine!

I'll be flying back to France tomorrow, to spend some time with my family and friends, rediscovering my hometown, borrowing some books at the library to bring with me to the countryside. It's going to be so much fun! I'll try to document my time there and share some pictures! Meanwhile you can still get a sneak peek on my instagram.