A Family Activity ~ Bird Feeder

About a year ago,

I posted that around Thanksgiving

we make a treat for the birds.

You can see that post here.

This year, the feathered little tweeties

get peanut-butter seed cones.

This can be a bit messy so be prepared.

The supply list is rather simple:

pine cones

peanut butter

bird seed

jute twine

and scissors, spoon, butter-knife, and bowl.

In case you are unaware,

pine cones close in the cold and open in the heat.

I only mention that, because

I have met so many people who don't know it.

If your pine cones are closed,

bring them in and set them by the stove

or even in the oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil.

Your first step is to tie a string of jute

(about 18 inches long) onto the top point of the pine cone.

Then use a butter knife to put peanut butter

in all the little crevices.

(I did notice I missed a spot or two when I took the picture so had to fill them in.)

Next, set the covered pine cone in a tray of bird seed.

 Use a spoon to cover it with seed.

Also, tip it on it's side and make sure there is seed

covering all the peanut butter.

Now it is ready to be hung in a tree 

for our feathered friends.

I have done this as a children's church activity,

and it went very well.

If you do so,

you might want to take plastic sandwich bags

so the children can take them home.

If you make them at home,

you can take them directly out and hang them in a tree.

Warning: try not to hang them next to where

the cats can easily get to them.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.