jakrum421
Wisconsin
Posts: 115
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject: A treat idea for both kids and your backyard wildlife |
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Tomorrow is my oldest son's turn to bring a snack for his preschool snack, so I decided to make edible playdough for his class. The recipe I had sounded like a small amount, so I tripled it. I ended up with waaaaayyyyy too much. So, I decided to use the leftovers to feed my chilly squirrels and birds outside.
The recipe for the dough is 18 oz. of peanut butter, 6 T. honey, about 3/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, and about 3/4 cup finely ground oatmeal (I used a box of baby oatmeal, but you could use a food processor to grind regular quick oats). Mix them all together and add more dry ingredients (milk and oatmeal) until it is a consistency that is easy to handle and shape. (I tripled this and had twice as much as I needed for 20 golfball sized servings of dough.) Both of my sons declared this treat a thumbs-up. I am sending along lots of raisins, pretzel sticks, and chocolate chips for each child to make their own special creation before eating.
For the wildlife treat, I took the leftover dough, added some stale raisins and nuts that were in my pantry from my many baking forays, and mixed them well. I poked holes in the bottoms of 2 raisin canisters, (you could use yogurt containers or any light cardboard container too), ran a string through it, and packed the dough into the canister and around the string. After freezing it overnight so it will get nice and solid, I will cut off the cardboard and hang up the treats in the trees outside. Tomorrow morning, my birds and squirrels will have a lovely treat. I hope it turns out like I expect and if it is a success, I will try to post some pics.
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Julie
"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy." Lucille Ball
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toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11244
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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This sounds like a good idea, I have several suet holders I could put a block into. We are supposed to have a few days of very cold temps next week so this ought to be just what the birds need.
Thanks
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To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
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eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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Julie I'm definately going to try your recipe. I have always made my own fat cakes for the birds but it's a messy process as you have to boil suet or dripping to make them. My mind is already working overtime about what I can add to your treats for the birds. I have some hard pieces of cheese I could grate and a few leftover pine nuts and cashews from Christmas time as well as dried fruit. I'm sure my birds will love them so thanks again. 
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