We received 20 inches of snow last week! We were all very excited for our first big snowfall but Grace had expressed a deep concern over the birds and how difficult is was going to be for them to find food to eat with that much snow. Grace has always loved birds (the only thing she asked for for Christmas was a birdhouse that she could paint to put outside on one of our trees). We had made birdseed ornaments throughout the month of December to give as handmade Christmas gifts. We also ended up making a few extra for our own family but we were just waiting for the first big snowfall before hanging them outside. One day last week we were extra excited to go for our daily hike in the woods because it was time to look for the perfect tree to hang our homemade birdseed ornaments. We all put on our snowshoes and headed into the woods behind our house in search of that tree!
Here is the recipe that we used to make our birdseed ornaments:
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 cup of warm water
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons of corn syrup
4 cups of birdseed
Directions:
1. Combine the flour, water, gelatin and corn syrup in a large mixing bowl and stir until well-combined.
2. Add the birdseed to the mixture and stir until well coated.
3. Spray the molds or cookie cutters you are using with cooking spray (we used canning jar lids) and spoon the birdseed mixture into each mold. Use a spoon to firmly pat the birdseed mixture down and to make the tops smooth.
4. Poke a hole through the top of each birdseed mold using a straw, making sure it goes all the way through.
5. Leave the birdseed inside of the molds overnight. Once the birdseed ornaments are completely dry remove the straws and gently remove the ornaments from the molds.
6. Tie a ribbon through the hole in the birdseed ornaments.
7. Find the perfect tree outside to hang them on for the birds!
We searched for a very long time in the woods behind our house until we found just the right tree to hang our birdseed ornaments on.
This branch was just the right height for Eve to hang her ornament!
Jack led the way for us through the woods. He loves checking on the birdseed ornaments every day to make sure the birds still have enough food to eat!
We have really been enjoying our daily walks in the woods since we hung our birdseed ornaments to check on them and to see how much the birds have been enjoying their wintertime treat. This is an activity that we will continue all winter long and I hope it becomes a favorite winter tradition for many, many years to come.
1 comment:
I'll begin by saying that Grace has a heart as big as this world. Leave it to Gracie to think of the birds and their well being. I know that if there was a need either by another fellow human being or an insect or animal, Grace would be the very first to give and do whatever it takes to help. She is the best role model and oldest member of the team!
I can imagine how special it was for all of your teachers and neighbors and others to receive these birdseed ornaments. Poppy and I loved opening our package and finding them inside! I passed along two of them to my bird loving neighbors...so the giving continues!
I love the snowshoes! Jack is the perfect trekker and leader. I can just see him checking the status of the seeds to report back to Grace when you pick her up from school. And, that Eve, she is learning all she can from her brother and sister. She is a doll! The Birthday Girl tomorrow!
Thank you for sharing this recipe and moment in your day with us.
Loving all creatures large & small,
Maddy
ps...please, tell the kiddos that I observed two birds at our ornament yesterday. I will look up in my bird book what they were and let you know...small with a light grey tummy and a darker gray top with hints of blue.
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