Bird Treats

During the winter months when we are locked indoors, the boys and I like to pass the time by making those poor cold birds (and let's be honest...the squirrels, too) some yummy treats.

Last year we made these.

This time, we made gelatin treats.

Here's what you need:

Bird Seed

1 box of Knox Plain Gelatin

Wax Paper

Cookie Cutters

ribbon or twine

1 straw

What you do:

*In a large bowl, make plain gelatin following directions on the package. Instead of cold water use ice cubes so it will gel quickly.

*Add bird seed a little at a time to gelatin, mixing together so seed is completely coated and there is a enough gelatin to bind the two together.

*Create shapes by scooping a thick layer of the mixture onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper and then cut out using cookie cutter.

*Cut your straw into pieces. Make a hole in the top of each shape using a straw. Once the molds are filled you will use this hole for the string. Make the hole in the center of your shape so there is enough strength to hold the string.

* Put trays into the refrigerator to set (about 3 hours). Once the shapes are set, remove them from their mold and lay back on the wax paper. Leave to dry out for 2 days to harden. String twine or ribbon through the hole, and hang on a tree branch.

Have a great week!

Tracy

Painted Pinecones

Ok, so not every craft I set out to conquer works out so well. This would be one of them.

I saw this idea somewhere ( I will leave it unmentioned because I may not speak of it with admiration.) It looked like an easy, fun idea, and I thought the white pinecones would add to my bowl of pinecones that rests on my coffee table. I followed the instructions, but it was a ROYAL pain in my behind. Seriously. ANNND it took FOREVER for them to dry. When it was all said and done, I thought to myself, "Why didn't I just spray paint them?" Ahhh, such is life....an experience, right? I will say that I think they look nice, but also...I wouldn't do it again.
In case you want to make your own decision on how ROYAL this is....here you go.

What you need:
florist wire
pinecones
paint

What you do:
1. Wrap the florist wire around the pinecone, so that you can handle it easily.
2. Dip COMEPLETELY in paint.
3. Place on hanger to allow pinecones to drip dry.
Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?? Ummm, yeah.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2011

Well. Heeeeellllllllooooooo 2011! Can you believe it? 2010 was a truly fantastic year, and was full of so many lovely moments (and crafts!) I have a sneaky suspicion that 2011 is going to be even better! I speak it!

To start the year off on the right track, I made some friends little "New Year's" happy gift. These packages contained everything, (almost) needed to make chocolate pecan muffins. My thought was that everyone is probably DONE with dessert by January 1. I mean, I know I had fallen off the wagon in the month of December, and had become quite the glutton. (Since, I have repented, and sworn off the temptation that is CHOCOLATE!) Anyway, I figured this would be a nice gift to have around in a month, or so when we all have forgotten how we gorged in December on sugar cookies, fudge, and little green and red M&M's. Like I said, this was MY figuring.
These are really sweet, no pun intended, thoughtful gifts that are inexpensive as well. Also, great for single guys...right Debo?

Here's what you do:

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into a large bowl (a great job for kids). Carefully pour the mixture into a clear cellophane bag big enough to hold about 5 cups. Next, top the mixture with the chocolate chips followed by the pecans to create a layered look. Seal the top of the bag with clear packing tape. Then tie on a ribbon and a card with the Chocolate Pecan Muffin recipe instructions printed inside. I also added a little bottle cap magnet that I made with my friends' initial on it. (How to make those is coming soon!)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions to print and attach:

1. Heat the oven to 400° and butter the bottoms only of 12 regular-size or 6 jumbo muffin cups.

2. Pour the muffin mix into a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. In another bowl, whisk l large egg. Then blend in 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.

3. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquid mixture and stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups.

4. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes for regular muffins or 20 to 25 minutes for jumbo muffins. Serve warm and enjoy!

Winter Wreath

I made this wreath for my mom for Christmas. I thought it would be nice for her door for the winter months. Since I had to mail it to her, I was kind of afraid to put anything sticking off of it...like ornamental branches or the like. Anyhoo, it turned out pretty, and simple; two things I love. :) To see how I made it, you can check out my first wreath post here.

Tortilla Snowflake Dessert

Here's a sweet, light, and easy (always helps!) little after dinner treat. I made these last night for Cash and Luc since we had a lovely white Christmas; I thought a snowflake was fitting. They were yummy! Oh, and pretty! I found this in the Family Fun magazine. (Love it!!)

What you need

• 6 flour tortillas
• Canola or vegetable oil for baking or butter
  

• Confectioners' sugar
• Edible glitter or colored sugar crystals (optional)

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Warm the tortillas (about 15 seconds) in the microwave.

2. Individually fold the tortillas in half once and then in half again, so that you end up with a shape that resembles a wedge of pie (it will be thick). Using clean scissors, cut triangle, circles, or squares out of the edges, as if you were making paper snowflakes. Unfold the tortillas.

3. Lightly brush the tops of the snowflakes with canola/ vegetable oil or butter and place them on a cookie sheet slightly apart.

4. Bake them until lightly browned and crisp (about 4 minutes). Sift confectioners' sugar on the snowflakes while warm. For an extra sparkly effect, you can sprinkle on a bit of edible glitter or color sugar crystals. Makes 6.