Saturday, December 18, 2010

Travel The World Around My Christmas Tree



I've been very fortunate in my life to have had the opportunity to travel the world.
Over the years I have collected Christmas ornaments from the countries I've visited and today 
I would like to share a few of my favorites with you.

Ornaments are the perfect collectible because they usually represent their country very well
and can easily be tucked into a suitcase or purse for transport home.
Each year when I unwrap my treasured ornaments I relive the wonderful memories
of my travels and the people I shared my adventures with.
So fasten your seat belts and let's go.



Vienna, Austria
Mozart's Home



Nuremberg, Germany
This ornament represents a booth in the grand Christkindlmarkt
where I first saw roasted almonds, Gebrannte Mandeln. It was here that I purchased
the nut roasters that changed my life.



Ooh La La
Paris



Japan
Geta, wood sole Japanese sandals



Budapest, Hungary
A wood, hand painted bell



Paris
THE place to buy copper cookware



Mexico
Glass beads hand set in beeswax



 Prague, Czech Republic
Wood hand painted Santa



Japan
Hand carved wood young girl



Bruge, Belgium



Vienna, Austria
Eine schone Madchen



Denmark
Bing & Grondahl, 1982



Frohe Weihnachten

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

44 comments:

  1. What beautiful souvenirs..It must be so nice remembering when you put each one on a branch:)

    Memories to last a lifetime.. Thanks for showing us..All superb..Love the Eiffel tower and Copper pot of course!

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  2. They are lovely, one and all, Cathy. What wonderful memories they must evoke. Have a grand weekend. Blessings...Maryt

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  3. Since three years ago when we travel for our honeymoon I collect some ornaments not for tree but for my wreath on kitchen's door.... Sausalito CA 2007, Madrid 2008, Bar Hartbour ME 2009, Venice 2010 (in 10 day we will be there!!!) and JApan for 2011 (next summer !!!)..... but my world collection around the world in on my fridge!!! But your decorations are really beautyful.... hugs, Flavia
    P.S. Did you buy the Paris pot...chez MORA????

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  4. hi cathy, thank you for you visiting my blog :) you know i love nutcrackers so your table by the tree is calling me over... better to see all your cute ornaments! i love to collect when traveling too, its wonderful to see how much globetrotting you have done. wishing you a very merry christmas!

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  5. Happy holidays Cathy! It is so neat that you have all of these souvenirs to remind you of the wonderful places you visited over the years.

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  6. Beautiful ornaments Cathy! I agree that they are the perfect collectible! Merry Christmas and Happy Baking:@)

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  7. Gorgeous ornaments and better they tell your story of travels! Love your header..esp the mice!!

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  8. I love to collect Christmas ornaments myself. each one has a special meaning as we bring them out of their wrappings.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful and meaningful ornaments. I feel as if I've shared a nice visit with you this afternoon.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. Well if that doesn't get us in the Christmas spirit, nothing will. I love them all, but did favor the copper pan, the Eifel Tower and the sandals. My Christmas tree would be pretty bare. Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Merry Christmas Cathy.

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  11. Wht a great way to remember you trips - very practical and you get them out at least once per year.

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  12. I like trees that are memories not "decorator" -- your ornaments are perfect!

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  13. This is really cool. I'll have to remember to get an ornament from each country I visit. It makes the tree look very international.

    Have a wonderful Christmas!

    Nisrine

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  14. Isn't it fabulous to be able to travel?? We have a few ornaments, but our collector's item from each country is a magnet. Then we get to see them every day on our fridge, not just at Christmas!

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  15. What a great idea you had to collect these; I wish I would have thought of this. Thank you for sharing; I'm sure each one bring special memories for you.

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  16. It must be alot of fun unpacking your ornaments each year, How very special!
    Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

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  17. We just decorated our tree. My son is amazed how I can remember where I was when I bought an ornament, or who gifted me with one. They are wonderful memories. I LOVE your nutcracker! Merry Christmas, my friend.

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  18. Thanks for sharing, Cathy. The ornaments are beautiful and how nice that you get to re-live your travels each year when you put up the tree.

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  19. Loved seeing your ornaments from around the world.

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  20. Merry Christmas Cathy, I love all your ornaments and the special meanings behind them all.

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  21. wow love this I am going to start collecting how wonderful must bring back so many amazing memories :-)

    Merry Christmas

    Love Rebecca

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  22. What a wonderful idea! Of course, I never go anywhere so this totally doesn't apply to me.

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  23. Those ornaments are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them. You have been to some wonderful places. About ten years ago, I started collecting ornaments on our vacations. And like you, every year we enjoy remembering each trip as we look at our tree.

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  24. What lovely ornaments to decorate your tree! Have a great weekend and happy holidays!

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  25. Cathy, this looks like a united nation tree! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing & hope you're enjoying the day.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  26. Beautiful ornaments...! You remind me that I have to visit the Christmas markets around, or I'm going to miss it...!

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  27. I used to do the same with earrings - but yours is an even better idea!!

    Merry Xmas!!

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  28. What a wonderful collection Cathy and even more fun to have travel and collected them. We've been to Mozart's home and that is the cutest ornament I've ever seen. I can't stop smiling at how charming it is.
    Sam

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  29. This is a lovely way to remember your travels and display your treasures! We also have several ornament from our escapades!
    I love the little bell from Denmark and Mozart!
    Merry Christmas!
    Yvonne

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  30. I love all your ornaments! Merry Christmas!

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  31. Beautiful remembrances from your travels, Cathy! How wise you were to think of purchasing them - they're all beautiful.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  32. What great memories from your trips. You have a beautiful collection and I love the copper pot from Paris. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  33. Every one of those ornaments is beautiful, but the memories you made when you were traveling mean so much more. Keep making them.

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  34. Wow!!! Those ornaments are so special! Merry Christmas!!

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  35. What a fun memory tree -- loved the sandals? from Japan! Joni

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  36. Love, love, love all your Christmas ornaments!!! They are so beautiful! And full of such great memories!

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  37. Your tree is gorgeous! It must be fun to decorate with all of the wonderful memories attached to each ornament. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  38. Those are adorable. And a great idea for a keepsake from each country.

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  39. These are beautiful ornaments. What a fun tree to decorate with all of your memories from traveling! Jane

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  40. what a great way to journal your experiences. you've inspired to create some sort of alter for our family travels! happy holidays!

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  41. What lovely ornaments. My Mom just gave me about 10 ornaments from my childhood. It was such an exciting moment as we decorated our family tree with them. Great post.

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  42. Beautiful, both the ornaments and the memories! Happy Holidays Cathy!

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  43. What lovely ornaments, and some fantastic memories for you Cathy. Have a very Merry Christmas!

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Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you enjoyed my blog and will leave a comment or two. And come back again of course ~ Cathy