Author: Mel (Page 12 of 23)

Wining in Portugal

August 23, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Hello friends!

For those of you who haven’t been to Portugal, you should go. It is an amazing country with something for everyone: friendly locals, a crazy selection of UNESCO world heritage sites, beautiful beaches, amazing seafood (which makes sense given its 1,794 km or 1,115 mi of coastline), and delicious and affordable wines. So affordable in fact, that on our first night in Lisbon, we ordered a 7-euro glass of wine. But when the server arrived with our order, we realized that the price was for the whole bottle! Of course, I was immediately smitten with Portugal. I don’t think we paid more than 10 euros for a bottle the whole week we were there. Continue reading

One last time before I go

July 31, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Friends!

It has been quite a whirlwind since my last post, which seems like a lifetime ago. The last four weeks have included my last day of work, packing up the entire house, last-minute arrangements for the logistics of life and home ownership in our absence, trying to fit everything I need into a carry-on bag (yes, we are going to do 2 months in Europe with only carry-on), many teary goodbyes with loved ones, and not surprisingly, lots of wine. Continue reading

Once upon a time…

June 2, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Once upon a time there was a valiant lady who won a great challenge. Her reward was to select the theme for the subsequent challenge, one that would allow the competitors an opportunity to momentarily set down the burden of their duties, have a cup of nectar and pick up a quill to pen their tales. Continue reading

Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #32–The Results

May 2, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Thanks for voting everyone! I am thrilled to announce that my post Somm Reflections won the #mwwc32 on the theme of translation, thereby earning me huge bragging rights and the honour of choosing next month’s theme. Leave any suggestions in the comments!

Thanks again for voting. You’re the best!

Happy wining!

Source: Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #32–The Results

Rainy-day Oregon pinot noirs

April 30, 2017 / Mel / 0 Comments

Oh spring. You are such a tease. Last week, it was 26 degrees Celsius (let me translate that for my American readers: 79 degrees Fahrenheit), which is amazingly warm for April in Ottawa. I even biked to work for the first time this season, and it was glorious! But this morning when I woke up, it was cloudy and cold, and when I let the dog out, I kid you not it was freezing rain. Really, spring? Really?? Come ON!