3.31.2011

Feeding the birds! part 2

Hi Everybuddy!

Brenda in AZ had a question about our recipe for suet cakes.  This is what we used to make:

Feeder Oat Cakes


1 pound lard melted

1 cup rolled oats (quick cooking is best)

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup mixed wild bird seed

1 cup sunflower seeds

Melt lard in pot, use oven or microwave.
Stir in remaining ingredients and blend well.
Pour into paper-lined muffin tins.
Chill until hardened

I like to melt the lard in a large stainless steel bowl, let it cool somewhat and then add the "goodies". You can fill a cupcake paper/tin with this, chill them and then put them out in your suet feeders and stock up your freezer!.

I don't do much of this in the summer, since the lard gets melty and messy.  Brenda might visit one of her pet food stores and ask about feeding birds in the hot AZ summer.  Maybe just make sure they have clean water and food with some fruit in it.  Here is an oriole feeder and I bet you get lots of hummers,too.  We mostly get garden variety birds, I buy 25 lbs of black sunflower seeds which doesn't last too long once the squirrels get busy!

What a handsome pair this is, dining out ! (photo from Google!)




This is somewhat like my seed feeder is, not exactly though.  Mine is supposed to be squirrel proof which is the funniest thought in the world.  Mine has windows in the glass area, and the squirrels hang by their feet from the roof and shovel the seeds into their mouths!  Although there is this:  during the coldest part of the winter, when little or nothing is to be seen out of doors, the squirrels are scampering around looking for food. and giving us a laugh or two.

Enjoy the birds with us!

Cheers, Jo and Stella

20 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

One year, I made suet cakes for everyone for christmas. When they opened their gifts the looks on their faces was pricelss. they had no clue what the heck it was, only that it was disgusting looking!

Are those orioles in the picture? even with the snow? Where's the snow? didn't you just get dumped on, again?

rottrover said...

Did you take that bird picture? It's fabulous!

Lorenza said...

I know they love to come to your house for the yummy treats!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Yas said...

Hi Stella!
Wow! Birds and squirrels! Must be nice to have many visitors!! All we get at home are a couple of mynahs at times but they fly off soon as i come near..:(

Cheers,
Maxx

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

That looks like a very good recipe for suet. We buy 50# bags of cracked corn and sunflower seeds.

KB said...

You have some lucky birds! That recipe is a great idea for winter. In fact, I might be able to use it here all summer long since it rarely gets hot. Thanks!

Love the oriole photo! I haven't seen an oriole in a very long time!

Our bear-proof bird feeding station is also squirrel proof but they eat the seeds off the ground. I have to admit that I enjoy watching them.

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

I hope you get lots of birds, and I sure the squirrels appreciate it too! bol!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We don't have any bird feeders in our yard because the Momster says we have too much interest in catching birds. Maybe Mom should think about putting one in the front yard instead.

Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

White Dog Blog said...

We winter feed and in summer hang out feeders for the hummingbirds, even though they are mean to each other and territorial (but are beautiful). Watching the birdies is sure fun, isn't it? We love their songs first thing in the morning.

Asta said...

Stella
How lovely to be taking cawe of the biwdies like that..I love the pictoowe of the ones dining out, and althought squiwwels steal some, I would hate to see them stawve too, so its all good.
Stella you musn't be jelly of my weekend wif Gus. 'you'we such a bootiful giwl wif a gweat pawsonality . I'm suwe yopu have the boyz lining up to take you out
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Sue said...

We put suet out in the colder months, but once it turns hot we stop. We don't want it dripping all over the place. Our hummers will be coming back any time now, so I need to start making hummer food.

Bobby said...

We like you recipe for bird food we have been bying blocks like that
but it has worms and grubs in yuk.
We are beging you Stella please take off the curse we are wet muddy my fields are like bogs.
Dirt between my toes. Pip is like a mud cake under his tummy he is so low to the ground.He is sick of being washed and is blaming me.
Remove this curse and I will never mention snow again.
Love Licks Kind thoughts Your Bestest Pal Gentle Very Wet and wind blown Bobby.
I think it might be AliZ

Stella said...

An answer to Bobby from Stella:

I have been laughing out loud ever since your tragic comment came in, Bobby!

No, no, I don't personally do curses and most certainly not on you. Ali Z? I suppose that could be a possibility, although she says not. (She does tell lies though!) Today we are at 45 degrees F, snow melting fast, but another storm scheduled for tomorrow. So perhaps it is the Global Warming/Weather everyone is talking about. Things changing fast. We will just have to put up with it for awhile and see if summer comes!

Let me know if it changes!

Kisses,
Stella

TwoSpecialWires said...

Stella. It has been much to long. Much much too long.

So. About those suet cakes. Moma says she used to make them ... that was before us. And before the squirrels destroyed the deck chairs. We're trying to convince her she could make them and take them to the trees far far away (and use her binoculars), 'cause we love the idea of making them for the birds.

Now about that supposed curse on Bobby. We're glad to see that you denied the possibility ... we could never imagine you doing that. It MUST be global warming. We'll have to ask Bertie. He'd know for sure.

So, dear beautiful black girl. Take care, and know we think of you often. We miss the days when Moma let us spend more time on the computer.

Much love. Many xxx
Jake and Fergi

TwoSpecialWires said...

We've been thinking more about that "curse" of wind and rain. We've decided Bobby must've been feeling exceptionally Grumpy. From all the mud in his paws and the water on his back. Just think what a mess that would make for Pipster. And poor Jock. No longer white, that one would be. We can understand their grumpiness.

We are really quite fond of that family. Yep. We know the grumpiness is a Big Act. We think Bobby and John and Brenda and Pip (and Jock, too. Moma loves Jock) are among the nicest pals we know. And we also want to include YOU in that list.

Take care. Happy week. Is snow headed your way? It is leaving us tonight.

xx
Jake and Fergs

Teddy Westlife said...

I love to watch the birds. Best fun ever! Hi Ali Z!

Teddy Westlife.

Golden Samantha said...

Hi Stella and Ali Z!
It has been too long since we've visited! Mom remembers when she was a girl and made suet and peanut butter and seed thingys for the birds in winter! She loved making them and it seemed the birds liked these creations too!
Big Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie, Avalon and Oz

Remington said...

We have made our own too. Isn't it fun to feed the birdies?

George The Lad said...

Thanks for the recipe, I've just copyed and pasted it and will be making it when we start to go into winter. We have a large pond that the birds drink out and wash all summer.
Have a good week
See Yea George xxx

Brenda's Arizona said...

I, too, printed it out and stuck it on the tackboard. Thanks, JO!