Photo submitted to the Survival Challenge by Kathleen Beard

Brenda Krupnow sent us this recipe and asked that we share it with others.  She  found this recipe in her sister-in-law, Carol's collection after Carol's death,   and was reminded that even during her final months her sister-in-law took great pleasure from watching the birds at the feeders outside her window. "She was the one who really loved birdwatching, and did it 'till the day she died."

Brenda Krupnow writes,

"Well, here's a  little recipe that is made from simple ingredients you probably already have at home, you know, the good stuff like old-fashioned peanut butter, oatmeal, lard, and whole-grain cereal. It's very easy to make and birds love it. This project would also be fun for the kids on those cold wintry days when there's nothing to do. It was found on an old, worn sheet of paper, inside a cherished folder filled with recipes that have been handed down from at least two generations of our family."

 

You will need:

2 3/4 cups of oatmeal

1 3/4 cups of cornmeal (please don't use the mix because it has other ingredients in it that may be harmful or unpleasing to the taste)

1 3/4 cups of Farina cereal

1/2 pound of lard

6 ounces of peanut butter (I use the crunchy kind)

Some bird seed for rolling

1 cup boiling water

Here we go:

Cook oatmeal in boiling water for 2 minutes. Add the lard and peanut butter. Mix well, then add the Farina and cornmeal. Mix this together with hands. Form the mixture into balls and roll in birdseed (or you can sprinkle it on if you prefer). Thread a hooked wire or string through the middle of the ball and let cool completely before hanging outside. Then watch all the little critters flock in!

Happy Feeding!

It's interesting that seeing a particular bird can remind us of the person who taught us to recognize it!  Did you have a bird mentor, or could you be a bird mentor to someone else? You might like to read Charlie Alston's entry to the Bird Chow challenge, where he talks about making a pinecone feeder with his grandson. " Show a kid how awesome nature is and he will be HOOKED for life."