DECORATE A TREE FOR THE BIRDS!

 

  For many of us, our feathered friends bring hours of enjoyment, watching them flitter about from tree to tree, nibbling on any little morsel they can find.  If you love bird watching, try decorating a tree just for them!  Here are some great recipes you can make at home:

PEANUT BUTTER SUET PINE CONES

6 yards of 18-gauge florist wire

12 pine cones

3 lbs. peanut butter

11/2 lbs. suet

10 lbs. bird seed

Twist an 18-inch length of florist wire around the big end of each pine cone, making a large hook at the end of the wire.  Mix peanut butter and suet.  Using small handfuls, spread peanut butter mixture on pine cones.  Roll pinecones in a large bowl of bird seed.  Yield:  12 pine cones.

NOTE:  Suet is available at supermarket meat departments.  Ask that it be ground fine for easier mixing.

PRETZEL GARLANDS

Unsalted miniature pretzels

1/4 inch wide red ribbon, cut to desired length of garland.

Weave ribbon through pretzels to make an edible garland for the birds.

SNOWY DOUGHNUTS

12 small powdered sugar coated doughnuts

4 yards 1/4 inch wide red ribbon

Cut ribbon into 12, 12-inch lengths.  Loop ribbon through doughnuts; tie in knot.  Yield:  12 ornaments.

BREAD STARS

1 loaf stale white sandwich bread

Christmas ornament hangers

Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice of bread.  Attach an ornament hanger to each shape.

CRANBERRY HEARTS

6 yards of 22-gauge florist wire

2 lbs. fresh cranberries

Cut florist wire into 18 inch lengths.  Thread fresh cranberries onto wires; then bend each into a heart shape.  Yield:  12 ornaments.

ORANGE BASKETS

12 oranges

3 cups bird seed

3 cups suet (ground fine)

3 cups sunflower seeds

3 cups raisins

12 feet 1/2-inch-wide ribbon

Cut oranges into basket shapes and scoop out pulp.  Put birdseed, suet, sunflower seeds and raisins in individual bowls.  Fill the orange baskets with ingredients from the bowls.  

Loop ribbon through basket "handles."  

Yield:  12 ornaments.