Thirty-one days of December on the wall . . .

Another month has flown past with the usual swiftness. We began December by celebrating my graduation and the beginning of Advent in our favourite city, joined by my parents (not pictured).

One of my most exciting graduation presents came from the UKBA, in the form of a work visa (we now have leave to remain in the UK until June) and the related return of our passports, which meant we were able to go home for Christmas. Having rushed straight from PhD into job, I was eager for a bit of a holiday, and I. and I. enjoyed our third transatlantic sailing as a Christmas gift to one another. Having taken this crossing a few times previously, we particularly enjoyed the opportunity to figure out some behind-the-scenes details of the crossing and culinary practices. After boarding the Queen Mary, we spent some time watching the final preparations for departure from a little nook on the top deck. We had a great view:

While crossing the Atlantic, we similarly enjoyed four behind-the-scenes culinary experiences. We first watched two very skilled chefs create stunning flowers and animals from vegetables:

We also enjoyed an instructional day in which several chefs demonstrated their decorative skills, while others taught guests to make canapes, sushi, and other delights. These are made etirely of sugar:

The ice swan below was crafted by the same two men who make flowers from vegetables; they are from a village in Indonesia with a long history of wood-carving:

We also had the amazing and unique opportunity to tour the kitchen for our restaurant (there are many kitchens on board the boat). We were able to watch one of the chefs mass-produce these "choux pastry swans," two of which we later enjoyed as dessert after lunch:

In their spare time, some of the amazing bakers on board the boat produce amazing decorative pieces; I believe the gingerbread display (much larger than that shown here) was made by some of the bakers, who also make fresh bread for all the guests each day.

We had rough weather on two days of our crossing, and I got a bit sea-sick due to the thirty-foot waves that hit us on the second day at sea, but once the storm was over, we enjoyed five of the most beautiful days I have ever seen. The sea changed every few hours, the skies were stunning, and the waves were exquisite.

On our last formal night, I. and I. discovered a new lounge at the top front of the boat, and enjoyed an evening of style and glamour while we tried two posh martinis. I. enjoyed the "Vesper," named after the James Bond drink, while I had a raspberry concoction, the construction of which involved lighting an orange peel on fire. (Apologies for the blurry photo; our amazing waitress [wearing stilettos!] manages to shake, pour, and carry two martinis on a rocking boat without spilling a drop, but she was slightly less able to take a clear photograph under the same conditions, which is probably a testament to her amazing Cunard training).

We arrived in New York three days before Christmas, and have spent several days unwinding, catching up with family, and visiting libraries.

It has been a wild and amazing year, and we have been blessed beyond measure. I am particularly grateful for my amazing husband, who has worked hard to keep me sane (and aware of the passage of months and time) and fed. We loved our time in Edinburgh (and miss our church tremendously) but the excitement is far from finished. Our schedule and plans are clear from now through June of 2013, but our plans thereafter vague and mysterious, and we look forward to discovering what God has in store, and (D.V.) sharing those adventures with you as they arise. 

Cheers!