Living Out Of The Box

17/11/2024

Oh ... & a bitchy little grape bedtime story, which is why I marked this episode "explicit." 🍷

A basic introduction to the wine region, history, and grapes Bulgaria. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavo...

27/10/2024

Yep. Went there. 🦇

A basic introduction to the wine of the Romania this episode explores some of the history, regions, grapes and unique wine styles. Dracula stops by for "a taste" and we bring it all home with gods and goddesses.  Resources from this episode: Books:  The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Editio...

14/10/2024

Between text banking, phone banking & postcard writing today: this silliness

A basic introduction to the wine of the Hungary this episode explores some of the history, regions, grapes and unique wine styles. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide....

21/09/2024

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Introducing "Quiet Ambition: An Easy Guide for Introverts and Minorities in Today´s Job Market" by Sophia Hartman. In a world that celebrates extroversion, introverts can feel left behind. Sophia Hartman, a skilled writer and translator, ...

08/09/2024

05/08/2024

"Missing: Two friendly llamas wearing backpacks"

Drama in the San Juans!

A very headline this fine Monday Morning. I hope they make their way home. 🦙🦙

Two experienced llama-packers lost their woolly friends when a sheep dog attacked in the San Juans, and the search is on.

29/07/2024

No d*ldos in this episode. Promise.

Just some potato priests, drinking songs, & a little bottled 'black death' among friends. 🍸

Aquavit or Akvavit or Akevitt: The spirit of Scandinavia, gin’s Nordic cousin, snaps, it goes by many names around the world. Some even sails around the world before it’s bottled. This episode explores some of the history, styles, and origins of the spirit, as well as some tasty tales of potato ...

13/07/2024

In the early days of this blog, when I was living in Italy, I came across the blog of Italiano With Jodina , an Italian language teacher. When the plague hit in 2020, I started doing conversation classes with Jodina, & it has boosted my language skills. She works with all levels, and if you ever wanted to study Italian in a fun, friendly environment this should be your first stop.

W E L C O M E !!! Buongiorno & Benvenuti! 📣 SUMMER NEWS!📣 Summe 2024 Class Enrollment Opens Next Week! Stay tuned!! Not on the Mailing List?? Subscribe to the Newsletter & stay in the loop ➡️ Courses will include: Italian for Beginners Italian for Travel ✈️ - Italy Made Easy! Italian C...

13/07/2024

🎙Um, yes, I did manage to work in the ties between my Nebelung cat & the Grewacke soils of NZ. And flying di**os. Yep. It happened, I raise my glass of NZ Pinot to it, & you're welcome. 🍷

A quick zip around the North Island of New Zealand’s wine regions, a bit of history, and - well - some silliness, because the host, once again, cannot freaking help herself. Warning: the host was not/NOT involved in the throwing of either fowl or fake phallus, but has marked this episode as explic...

04/07/2024

Mood.

28/06/2024

The latest in the world of Glass in Session by Vino With Val . More silliness, & new projects on the horizon!

On another note, I may/may not have slid some bourbon into my iced coffee this morning. 🥃

Exploring Washington’s wine regions, history, and grapes. Trivia? Bush flattery? An old hobo ditty about cigarette trees? Yep, got that too.  Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Websites and Digital Docum...

02/06/2024

Yes, I invoked the word "hoser." No, I wasn't raised right.

We’re taking off to the great wine north to explore the regions of Canada. Of course we gathered a little history and fun pop culture nuggets along the way. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Websites and Dig...

16/05/2024

I've learned this hard & gratefully over the last 15 years.

13/05/2024

We're talkin' about baybee! Sparkling wine from Austria and Germany 🥂

We're exploring the early days and styles of sekt: sparkling wine from Austria and Germany. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Websites and Digital Document Files: Austrian Wine: Austrian Sekt The Drinks Busine...

24/04/2024

https://valunboxed.blogspot.com/2024/04/what-strikes-doesnt-kill-me-yet-again.html

Oh, I can no longer upload photos to this blog due to my unwillingness to let google plant cookies.

Whatevs, will be migrating this blog to a more useful platform in the near future. For now, I wrote a short thing.

Stitches come out next week.

Busy getting the next couple of episodes of Glass in Session by Vino With Val winecast in the can.

Rock the rest of the week!

~V

08/04/2024

This. Which is why this blog started 15 years ago.

It's not about where we want to "end up." It's about the quest & being present throughout the journey.

In my case, it's learning to taste at life's buffet, spit out what you don't like, & have no fear of making a complete ass of yourself while learning the languages of your adventure.

At 86, Joyce Perrin has travelled solo to 156 countries and 31 territories, having only started in her 50s. It just goes to show that it's never too late to follow your passion and move out of your comfort zone ❤️ 💪