photo by Ballard Avenue

She's gorgeous, she loves the piano, she likes to nuzzle your hand, and then she tries to rip it off your wrist. Life with her is a high stakes game.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Yes, there's little in this world quieter than a monastery and seminary during Christmas break, but had our timing been a little better, we might have heard these bells ring. Change ringing is pretty cool. These bells are driven by motors and chains, which is not quite proper, but nonetheless they must ring a glorious sound over the valley.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Sitting high above the valley is Mt Angel Abbey, founded in 1882 by Swiss German Benedictines. It's a pretty quiet place, as you would expect. About all we heard was the wind.

Sung by the choir and parishioners of Gloucester Cathedral.

photo by Ballard Avenue

A sunny winter day in the valley.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Elektra gets some solo lap time, never an easy thing to do with Elliott around. He gets jealous and this is what happens.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Green Lake Park. Why was the sky so blue? The arctic wind blew all the clouds away.

We're going away for a few days but will return with fabulous snapshots of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Stay tuned!