The stockings were hung

by the chimney with care..........

 My stocking (the one on the left) is 71 years old this year.  My Auntie Ollie bought it for me the year I was born from St. Agnes' Church Bazaar.  Buddy and Tommy were given their stockings last year and Karl's stocking was made by Peter when he took Home Ec., in elementary school.  Misty's stocking now hangs on the Christmas tree.

The tree is up, the tree is decorated and the new skirt is underneath.  It is Buddy and Tommy approved.  Phew!

Slowly, but surely we are getting there.  Tonight I'll find the Christmas/winter pillows and put them around the rooms.  I should put my "snow family" out too.

I decided to buy placemats this year.  I know -- horrors, eh?  I made them last year and everyone took their placemat home which left me with none.  Well, not enough for everyone that matched and heaven forbid they don't match.  I found these in JYSK and they fit our family heritage well.

I made easy coasters to go with them and no the family are not taking them home.  We are keeping them here.  They don't match but I think I can live with it.  Put a glass or a mug on top and who will see the difference.  All my family think about is the food.  They want it good and they want lots of it.

You probably remember this pattern.  It's been featured a time or two.

Five pieces of fabric all cut the same size and in this case 4" square.  

Fold and press four of them wrong sides together and then with the backing right side up you lay them on top of the backing.

 Sew completely around it and then turn right side out and press again.  11 coasters made in under 2 hours.

 Much better instructions can be found here:

http://www.allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

 I made one variation of the coaster.  Instead of folding in half lengthwise, I made triangles and followed the same layout.  You could actually jazz this up and use it for a decoration for the tree!

That's it for this year.  I am taking a break until January.  A break from posting.  I have no baking done and that is a must.  Butter tarts, fruit cake, gingerbread and klejner.  

Merry Christmas everyone

All the best in the New Year.