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.

Traditions, Ideas, & a Gift Tutorial

As many of you are aware,

we don't have television.

Over Thanksgiving,

we were at my in-laws

who seem to have it on for

all but a few sleeping hours.

On our way home,

Mr. LB said, "No wonder people act so stupid."

We couldn't believe what was in the shows

and especially in the commercials.

We didn't 'do' Black Friday &

find it abominable that big box stores

started their 'big sales' on Thanksgiving.

Yet we know - so be it.

There are things that are so much simpler

and for us at least, better.

When the children were just youngins,

they would string cereal on jute

and hang it out for the birds on Thanksgiving

so they could be thankful too.

It was great.

I love that memory.

The year this was taken was extra-special for the birds.

They also got bagels with peanut-butter and bird seed.

One idea I recently ran across

is to make little pockets for the Christmas tree.

When you are taking down the tree,

strip the needles from some of the branches,

and put them in the pocket for in your dresser drawers.

Then you can be reminded of Christmas

every time you open your drawer.

I thought it was a great little tradition

so here's what I came up with.

I made a very simple version

and will probably make a few more

just for a few friends.

(Just letting you know: I used some scraps I had.)

Also, I used a machine, but they would not be difficult to do by hand.

I like the more primitive look (in the real sense of the word)

so I tore a strip of tea dyed muslin at about 4 inches wide.

Then cut at about 11 inches long

Depending on the width of your fabric,

you can get 3 or 4 pockets from one strip.

Then tear an alternate color at about 1/2 inch wide.

You will need 2 that are about 4 1/2 inches long

and one that is about 4 inches ~ the width you tore your muslin.

I wanted the selvage across the edge so left it.

I used a small scrap of iron on interfacing.

This is where the button hole will be.

Also, on the second one (green) I stitched one of the

1/2 inch strips across this end and liked it better than without.

At the other end, I stitched under about 1/4 inch. 

Stitch a button hole in the end with the interfacing.

(Not done in the picture yet.)

Lay the two 1/2 inch strips along the sides. 

Fold her up and stitch along the sides

(after button hole is sewn of course.)

See below~ 

 Sew button in place.

Fill with pine needles and Christmas memories.

You could get as fancy or as detailed as you wanted.

I thought about stitching "NOEL" on one.

I may or may not do that.

I do like the one with the extra strip of color.

(The green along the selvage.)

If you know someone uses a fake tree,

you could stuff it with cedar shavings.

Other than a floral arrangement and using the Christmas napkins,

I don't decorate until a week or so before Christmas.

I do enjoy Christmas,

and like to keep the focus on the real meaning.

I know others do so differently~ 

it's all good.

Wishing you all Peace, Happiness, and Harmony

this Christmastime.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches