Feeling a little caged in by the weather? Are the early signs of cabin fever setting in already? It’s that time of year again … Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the first days of the New Year are gone, along with all of their excitement. I don’t know about you, but the departure of the holidays can leave me feeling exhausted and a little overwhelmed.

The cold, wet, winter dreariness can have a depressing effect on all of us, and as a homeschooling family, that can really change the entire learning atmosphere.

I’ve discovered it’s helpful to find a way to cheer up someone (or something else) when I feel blue … kinda takes the focus off of myself, I suppose. This year, we’ve decided to bless the neighborhood birds with a little pick-me-up. It’s not easy for our feathered friends to find food in the winter months, so it’s a true act of kindness to feed them, and having birds hanging out by our window adds a little cheerful color to our day as well — making it a win/win, as far as this mama is concerned.

Instead of just a bird feeder, though, I thought I’d change things up a little this year and make some shaped and pressed birdseed treats. My grandmother has recently moved back to town, and this way my kids and I can make easy-to-share treats for brightening up her day, as well.

You will need the following items:

• 2 cups of bird seed (I used a songbird mix)
• 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin (I used Knox gelatin)
• water
• a plastic drinking straw cut into 2-inch pieces
• twine
• thick cookie-cutters (I used metal ones with 1” thick sides)

Note: This recipe makes about three 3×1 inch treats.

Directions:

1. Measure out your bird seed into a medium-sized bowl.
2. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil, remove from heat, and add both envelopes of unflavored gelatin; stir until dissolved completely.
3. Pour gelatin into your bowl of birdseed, stirring well, making sure to coat all of the seeds.
4. Lay your cookie cutters out on a piece of wax paper, and using a spoon, fill them up completely, pressing firmly to fill them well.
5. Poke a piece of your cut straw down into the birdseed treat and all the way through until it meets the wax paper, to make a hole where you will later put the string. Take care not to get too close to the edge or it won’t be sturdy enough to hang (see picture). Then re-press the seed mixture around the straw.
6. Let your birdseed treats sit for a couple of hours to set up.
7. Once it’s had time to firm up, carefully press down on each treat and slide your cookie cutter up and off.
8. Turn the treats over gently, making sure the straw was pressed completely through. (If not, push it through the rest of the way now.) Air dry the treats for another hour.
9. Cut about a 12-inch piece of twine or ribbon (more if you want a bow).
10. Remove your straw, thread the ribbon or twine through the hole, and tie a knot or bow.
11. If you’re planning to store any of the treats or give them as a gift, let them cure overnight before wrapping them.

Your bird feast is ready to be hung up and consumed! Pick a spot outside that is visible but easily accessible to birds. In the past, we’ve been working away on school assignments when suddenly, a bright splash of color flutters up to the feeder near our kitchen window for a snack. (Of course, like a good little homeschooling mama, I keep a bird identification book by this particular window, and everyone rushes to see what kind of bird has come for a visit!)

Sit back and enjoy your colorful visitors, with the knowledge that your birdseed treats are giving Mother Nature a helping hand this winter!

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