It's well known to all who know me that I love to feed wildlife that passes through my yard. At some point I will post the saga of Squeaky and Squawky, but I will save that for a rainy day.
We have a large variety of wild birds who frequent our feeders including hummingbirds, scrub jays, northern flickers, mourning doves, junkos, wrens, sparrows, finches, california quail and turkeys. Yes, wild turkeys! Anyway, I decided to look into ideas for "time released" feeding ideas since we do travel a bit. I really hate to let the feeders run dry while we're away, so I think I have found a solution!
I made hanging birdseed stars, hearts, and clovers by using cookie molds! Here's how it all came together:
WHAT I USED:
1/4 cup water
1 packet of Knox gelatine
1 cup wild birdseed
waxed paper
at least 3 cookie molds
string or ribbon (three - 1 foot pieces)
HOW I MADE THEM:
1. Put cookie cutters on a piece of waxed paper.
2. Add 1 packet of Knox gelatine to 1/4 cup water in a saucepan and stir well.
3. Place pan over medium heat and stir until gelatine is dissolved and simmering.
4. Stir in 1 cup birdseed - More if it seems too runny. There shouldn't be any liquid pooled in the bottom of the pan.
5. Spoon birdseed mixture into cookie cutters, but only 1/2 full.
6. Fold string in half, placing folded end in the middle of the cookie cutter with both raw ends sticking out of the top. This will be how you hang them on tree branches. (I chose to leave the open ends out so I can tie them on the branches.)
6. Continue to fill the cookie cutters with remaining birdseed mixture and press firmly to make sure it's all nice and compacted.
7. After 4-6 hours, turn cookie cutters over. When completely firm, gently take a knife around the inside edges of the cookie cutter to release the bird seed star.
8. Hang on tree limbs and wait for the birds to go wild!
ROOM FRESHENERS
Twice a year I go through my jars of herbs and spices and give them all the 'sniff' test. If they don't smell wonderful, out they go. Okay, so some herbs and spices last longer than six months, but it's just easier to sniff them all when going through them. I found several that needed to be tossed, so I poured them out and prepared the plastic containers for recycling.
It's right then that something dawned on me. These small little containers with vented inserts would be GREAT for housing room fresheners! Who doesn't have a closet or drawer or litter box area that could smell better? So here's what I did ...
WHAT I USED:
Empty spice containers, slotted inserts and lids.
Vanilla and Lavender essential oils.
Baking soda
Glue stick
Satin ribbon
2 large rubber bands
Tablespoon for measuring baking soda
WHAT I DID:
1. Put 4 tablespoons of baking soda into clean, dry spice containers.
2. Add 10 drops essential oils.
3. Place lid on jar and shake vigorously to blend oils with baking soda.
4. Cut 12" ribbon for each container. (I doubled it since the ribbon I used is white.)
5. Apply an adequate layer of glue to the back side of the ribbon.
6. Attach ribbon to container and wrap tightly and evenly until all ribbon is used.
7. Attach slotted lid, then solid lid.
8. I put a large rubber band around each one until the glue dried just as precautionary measure.
9. When ready to use, remove lid and enjoy!
It's right then that something dawned on me. These small little containers with vented inserts would be GREAT for housing room fresheners! Who doesn't have a closet or drawer or litter box area that could smell better? So here's what I did ...
WHAT I USED:
Empty spice containers, slotted inserts and lids.
Vanilla and Lavender essential oils.
Baking soda
Glue stick
Satin ribbon
2 large rubber bands
Tablespoon for measuring baking soda
WHAT I DID:
1. Put 4 tablespoons of baking soda into clean, dry spice containers.
4. Cut 12" ribbon for each container. (I doubled it since the ribbon I used is white.)
5. Apply an adequate layer of glue to the back side of the ribbon.
6. Attach ribbon to container and wrap tightly and evenly until all ribbon is used.
7. Attach slotted lid, then solid lid.
8. I put a large rubber band around each one until the glue dried just as precautionary measure.
