I love gardening and being surrounded by wildlife. With many feet of snow on the ground and negative temperatures, it is often hard to enjoy time outdoors during the cold season so I thought I would share how we had wildlife come to us a few winters ago. We gave a second life to our Christmas tree and positioned it right outside our living room window. My son and I made fruit garlands and bird seed ornaments and we enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels feast on them. Upcycling our Christmas tree and giving it to the birds was such a fun project and a nice way to teach our son about birds and wildlife.
Here is what you will need to make birdseed ornaments:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup hot water
3 tablespoons corn syrup
3/4 cup flour
3 cups bird seed
Muffin tin
Jute or yarn
Non-stick cooking spray
TUTORIAL:
*Mix together 1 envelope of gelatin and 1/2 cup of hot water until the gelatin is dissolved.
*Stir in 3 tablespoons of corn syrup.
*Add 3/4 cup of flour and mix until a paste is formed.
*Pour in 3 cups of birdseed and combine until well coated.
*Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray and fill each muffin cup half way.
*Make a loop with jute twine or yarn and gently press into the mixture.
*Fill each muffin cup to the top with the leftover bird seed mixture and press firmly. Let it set for 12 hours before hanging.
*To make the fruit garlands, I strung thick slices of apples and oranges with a needle and jute twine.
Voilà! Simple and easy to make decorations that birds will enjoy all winter!
With love and gratitude,
Marie-Hélène
