Phew! I have finally managed with many anxious moments and cutting and pasting like mad to send out the first Sones newsletter. A simple enough task you might say, but not for yours truly! Never mind it can only get easier(I hope!). So to all those of you reading this who have received this mammoth missive I apologise for any mistakes you may find. I plan to send out a newsletter every quarter with general news about Sones so if you would like to receive a copy just drop me details of your email address.
As you know I have been at an Art and Craft fair the last few days, some of the talent in this village is amazing really beautiful work. I have been toying with the idea of putting some of the work on the website and have just found a company which sells organic material so I may be a step closer!
I found this idea recently for the kids to make their very own bird feeder, fun to do and lovely for them to watch the birds feeding.
Materials: Pine cones, peanut butter, birdseed, string, plastic disposable-type bowls, hole puncher, bird pudding*, spoons.
Method: Children can make pine cone feeders by smooshing
peanut butter with spoons onto the pine cones. Then roll the cone in
birdseed, tie a string to the top end, and it is ready to hang outside.
To make a bowl feeder, punch three holes evenly spaced around the top
edge of the plastic bowl, fill the bowl with bird pudding (recipe
below), and tie strings through the holes for hanging.
Even 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds enjoy making these winter treats
for the birds, with some assistance from adults. Use your imagination
for other easy ones suitable for young children. For instance, try
using empty grapefruit or orange halves instead of bowls.
Recycle an old Christmas tree for bird use by standing it in
the backyard. Hang simple feeders from its branches. Attach other
items, such as stale doughnuts or sprigs from local shrubs and plants
with berries or seed heads. String popcorn and cranberries together and
drape the strings around the tree for an aesthetic effect and for
edibility by the birds. Soften some bird pudding and smear it onto the
branches. Add your own innovations, and your tree may become the
gourmet bird restaurant of the area!
Bird Pudding
Materials: One pound lard (or leftover
cooking fat), one cup hot water, two cups oatmeal, one cup flour, four
cups wild birdseed, large pan, mixing spoons.
Procedure: Soften the lard or fat over warm heat in the large
pan. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bird pudding can be
slathered into any kind of container-type feeder.
Happy Messing!
Linda