This is about as crafty as I get....

The other day I mentioned I was going to do a craft but don't get excited - I haven't done it yet. But I did make this today, so I think it counts as a craft too. I took an old colander - I think I took out of a freebie box at a yardsale - and attached a wire hanger to it to make it a bird feeder.

I have a big box of microwave popcorn that I need to start feeding to the birds. It's big, like a 40 mini-bag size bought from BJs Warehouse I think I purchased back in 2007 plus another box that is half-full (the eat-by date is Aug 2008). Well Jacob loves popcorn so I really stocked up when I saw it in the big size (I think it was like $6 for a 40-pack - they were designed to give out has Halloween treats - so I probably bought it October 2007). Well anyway, slowly over the course of the years, Jacob discovered that he likes Kettle Corn microwave popcorn better so he's not eaten as much as the butter flavor. And its getting older and older every day and I'm sick of looking at it (and being someone who can't throw anything away, I have to do something with it so I will feed the birds and squirrels).

And shortly after I put it up, the birds were there to check it out.



In the upper bird feeder is a homemade suet patty. A friend told me this recipe long ago:

Wild Bird Suet Recipe

Mix together using your hands (it's messy). Shape into patties and put into a suet feeder. Refrigerate leftovers.

4 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or regular)
1 cup crisco shortening (or cheap generic)