What do you do with your Christmas tree after the Holiday is over?
We put ours outside and decorate it for the birds!
We usually put on "ornaments" of dried bread, doughnuts, bagels and fruit, but this year I found a recipe for a "Birdseed Wreath" and made little birdseed cakes to hang on the tree.
To make a birdseed wreath or cakes, try this recipe;
1 1/2 cups water
4 pkgs. Knox unflavored gelatin (1/4 oz. each)
8 cups birdseed
Boil 1 1/2 cups water
Empty the 4 packages of gelatin into 8 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl
Let the gelatin sit for 1 minute
Add the boiling water and stir for 2-3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved
Stir 8 cups of birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly
Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then stir again
Repeat stirring a few times allowing the seed to absorb the liquid
Spoon the mixture into a greased bundt pan (or several small muffin cups)You may need to make holes in the center to thread your ribbon/twine through to hang.
Put in refridgerator (or other cool place) for several hours or overnight
(Oopps! Don't know why Blogger turned my pic.)
Remove wreath(s) from the mold by inverting the pan and tapping .
(Mine just fell out!)
Allow the cakes to dry several hours, turning over now and then or placing on a cooling rack.
Thread with twine, ribbon or rafia
Hang on tree and watch the birds enjoy their feast!
(Oopps! Don't know why Blogger turned my pic.)Remove wreath(s) from the mold by inverting the pan and tapping .
(Mine just fell out!)
Allow the cakes to dry several hours, turning over now and then or placing on a cooling rack.
Thread with twine, ribbon or rafia
Hang on tree and watch the birds enjoy their feast!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
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~~~"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
Matthew 6:26
11 comments:
Good Morning! I have copied your recipe and plan on making it with my grandchildren. How beautiful your tree must look decorated with birds as they fly to its branches for their treat! I often need to be reminded that God always takes care of us in all circumstances ~ thanks for the encouragement!
What a novel idea!! and it looks beautiful too!!! You are a blessing to friend and fowl!!
My soon to be son-in-law said he was going to toss his tree in the lake so the fish could enjoy it.
Lovely tree! And lovely orchard trees, too! What kind of stand is your bird tree in? Something the Gentleman Farmer crafted?
Michele~
The tree stand is simply a piece of plywood with said tree nailed in from the bottom! The tree was so lovely yesterday with the seed cake decorations and all the sweet little birds. But with all the torential downpours and high winds during the night, the morning light revealed a sad sight! The tree had blown over and all the "ornaments' lay strewn about the orchard, soggy, and some broken. I gathered up the remaining ones that were intact and rehung them on the tree which I moved to a more sheltered spot under one of the apple trees. The birds soon found it and were again happily feasting on the bounty! They are happy and so am I!
Hello from Idaho!
What a beautiful bird tree (Ours blew down too)-It makes ours look quite plain! In fact, ours IS plain, but the birds still like it by the feeders.
Beautiful poetry, too.
Love,
Marqueta
What a nice idea...not too sure it would go over in my townhome community with all the HOA rules...but how nice it will be to watch the birds in the days ahead!
What a cute idea. I'm sure the birds are very grateful for it. It looks very pretty. Kathi
That is such a cute, cute idea! I just love it! I would love to make those bird seed ornaments for the birds year round, they are really a great idea.
Hugs, Sharon
What a great idea! I'll have to remember that for next year!
What a wonderful idea! I will have to make these soon. Thank you for sharing the recipe. You have a lovely blog! Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog!
Blessings,
Selia
Dear Lady Farmer,
Your Bird's Christmas tree is so lovely!
We put our tree in the garden too, to provide additional shelter for the songbirds. Thank you for sharing your recipe for the birdseed cakes. I will have to make those to decorate the tree with. I know our bird friends would love that!
I enjoyed the sweet poem you shared and the beautiful scripture. What a blessing it is to know the Lord will always care and provide for us.
I noticed you listed the birds that you have seen at your farm on your sidebar. That is a wonderful idea! May I borrow your idea for my blog?
Love, Paula
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