Ivy and Elephants: 2011

As this year draws to an end we want to thank each and every one of you who have made this blogging experience such a pleasure. We have made real friends that we cherish deeply and wish you all health, happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year. May all your photos come out clear; your Blogger never goes on the fritz; your links always work; and your comments be plentiful and sweet.

Hugs & Happiness

Always,

Patti & Paula

Please enjoy our fabulous features this week they are amazing!

Jennelise

Once again, Jennelise takes our breath away with her romantic décor and gorgeous photography.

Ozma of Odds

Rosemary shares the sparkle and shine of her winter wonderland dining room.

A Re-Purposed Life

Rebecca’s home tour is a treat not to be missed. Grab some eggnog and plan to stay a while.

Art by Wendy

Wendy’s keychains are a must for your crafting to do list!

Antique Chase

Marcy’s dreams come true with this fabulous armoire. It will make you believe in miracles.

My Romantic Home

Cindy never disappoints, her apothecary jars are so unique!

Thank you all for participating in our linky party. Don't forget to grab a feature button

So join us for our last party of 2011,
let's make it the best one yet!!!

What's It Wednesday # 4

A very Ivy & Elephants Christmas is very diverse, in fact down right eclectic. It is an compilation of several collections from Santas and snowmen, to Wedgwood and Waterford and everything in between.

I absolutely love angels. Placing this angel in the foyer under my favorite cloche is the perfect way to set the holiday mood as you enter our home.

The setting of my great-grandmother's dining table with my grand-mother's wedding china is a special tribute to the matriarchs of our family. Though they are not with us here on Earth we place two gold angels on the table to represent these two very strong women. This is where the family Christmas dinner will take place.

This beautiful lady stands at the head of the dining table representing four generations of strong women in our family.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother made this Christmas tree. We place it on my great-grandmother's buffet every Christmas.

My great-grandmother's Philco television is adorned by this beautiful angel.

Christmas bunnies are adorable. Plus she looks so cute next to the picture of my dear grandmother.

These are my absolute favorite snowmen and women. They are actually candle holders. I just love them grouped together.

I have a few Christmas obsessions. I have a weakness for a gorgeous Santa Claus adorned in a regal suit or robe. So I will show you a few of my favorites.

I hide Christmas cookies in this ceramic gentleman.

This jolly fellow greets us for Christmas breakfast.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus flank a picture of moi.

This little doll reminds me of when I was a little girl.

Carolers just put the whole family in the mood to sing all the Christmas favorites.

I use my favorite snow globe as a center piece on the cocktail table surrounded by a red berry wreath. Once you wind up the snow globe Christmas music plays while the cutest train rides along the track.

You can never have enough Christmas trees in the house. This whimsical tree is in the guest bathroom and is chock full of some of my favorite ornaments.

My son has been collecting Christmas ornaments ever since he was two (two whole years). These are four of his favorites.

I love a chocolate nut cracker....yummmmmmy!!!!

This Santa is my latest acquisition. Thank you Cracker Barrel!!! The little guys down in the front, I collected in college. Every year, the Dollar Store use to sell them. The Nutcracker, on the right with the cutest tall furry hat, was found at Tarjay (Target of course).

I have a confession, of all of my collections my Waterford collection of ornaments is the largest. I will share a few of them with you. This piece is from the Songs of Christmas collection.

This Waterford crystal is the Ten Lords a Leaping ornament from the 12 Days of Christmas collection. It was one of my very first pieces. In addition to the ornaments being beautiful, the hooks that come along with the ornaments are equally as beautiful.

Another very recent acquisition from the good folks at Cracker Barrel. He now sits on the refrigerator.

Waterford also has beautiful heirloom ornaments. This Santa seems to have so much personality.

Ok I am a little obsessed with Santa. There was no way I could leave this salt and pepper shaker at the Cracker Barrel.

So let me share with you how my little Waterford ornament collection grows. I hit Bloomingdales and Macy's the day after Christmas, each and every year. That is when they go on sale and funny enough I run in to the same ladies each and every year at the Waterford display.

I love collecting ornaments when traveling. The ornament on the left I picked up while visiting Jekyll Island, the cotton ornament came from St. Simon Island, and the third ornament is made from a shell that I purchased in the Cayman Islands.