"Oh Christmas tree, oh christmas tree---"

My beautful silver tree-not vintage but so cool!
And it rotates!!

Well, Christmas is almost here and I hope this message finds everyone waiting with great anticipation for this most holy of holidays!!  And, hopefully no one is still fighting the crowds as you do that last minute shopping, or baking like a madman/madwoman as you prepare for all those out of town relatives you only get to see once a year, etc. etc. etc.  And me?  Yes, I am still doing the 'last-minute' thing and although I am preparing for my oldest daughter to come visit for the holidays, I am NOT preparing/planning any meals other than chicken-n-dumplings for Christmas day! And yes, even though I'm a vegetarian I know how to fix chicken for my children! (I pick the chicken out of mine and just eat the gravy and dumplings--so would that be called 'dumplings-n-dumplings?!)  This is a great time of year, filled with joy and good cheer for those of us who are so blessed and have few needs--but let us remember those who have little or even nothing all year round and how hard this time of year is for them.  My prayer is that we all learn to step out of our own comfort zone and share the blessings we've been given with those around us in need--not just in this Christmas season but all year long!! Amen and amen!!  God Bless all and any who read this,
 Pat,  A Remade Life

Some of my ornaments are old, some are just groovy!

My mantle and the fireplace I painted and antiqued

And no Texas Christmas is complete without a snowman in his sombero!!

Colors Abound!!



For those of you who don't know me very well I will share a deep, dark secret----I am a vegetarian!!  I've been a veggie-ite for almost 20 yrs.  Now, I'm not a vegan which means I do eat dairy products such as eggs, cheese, etc and I've been known to eat fish about every 6 mos. but basically no other meat gets pass my lips!!  This was simply a lifestyle-choice, no other reason behind it and I do love my veggies!!  So, I will be passing along some of my 'health-tips' every once-in-a-while just to share with you a little of my dietary life!!
 First tip:  Make it colorful!!  Nutritionists say that one of the ways to get a well balanced meal is to have a wide variety of colors on your plate.  Of course, we need to be sure these colorful choices are, as much as possible, from all the different food groups!  After all, Jelly Belly jelly beans are about as colorful as you can get but they are VERY limited on nutritional value!!  It also helps to have a really fun, colorful plate.  So, here is a picture of a typcial meal at the Gill home-let me know what you think and please feel free to share your tips and comments for a healthier lifestyle.  God Bless all and any who read this---Pat,  A Remade Life

This meal consists of:  salad which is full of
lots of colorful veggies-vinigrette dressing; sweet potato
fries, baked, not fried; fruit, cantelope; and soy
protein ribs (sorry, not meat); there was also
whole wheat bread on the side.  YUM, YUM!!



Moving at the speed of Life!



It has been really busy these last few weeks.  We discovered my mom has pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and that her left lung is now non-functioning.  Not good news, but managable.  She is currently on oxygen at night and boy, has it helped!  She is still weak, but at least now she can function and stay at her own house which is where she is happiest.  Going over there tonight to stay with her so I'll take stuff to work on since she goes to bed early.  Did a show last week and got great complements on my little 'glass bottle snowmen'.  They are really great fun to make and each has his own personality!  I'll share more on these little guys later.  I also made some 'cuffs' out of different items and I enjoyed showing everyone what they were.  Most had never even heard of cuffs!  So here's a few pictures of my stuff--hope you like it!!  God Bless all and any who read this--  Pat,  A Remade Life