SOME FOOD IS FOR THE BIRDS...OTHER FOOD HAS GONE TO THE DOGS!

I love all animals...dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, insects, flying things, wild animals and more! During this last year of much more time at home, my husband, Jerry and I have spent a lot of time watching the birds. My old friend Diana Makes, knowing I love bird-watching, sent me a recipe that sounded like a winner for our feathered friends.

BIRD FEEDER WREATH

This wreath was very easy to make and the birds loved it! They devoured the whole thing in just under 3 days! Here's how to put it together...

Ingredients:

4 cups of bird seed. I used the seed with fruit and nuts.

About 1 cup of fresh cranberries or enough to cover bottom of Bundt pan.

2 packets unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup warm water

1/3 cup cornstarch

3 Tbsp. light corn syrup

Thick ribbon for hanging the wreath

Nonstick cooking spray

Bundt pan

Preparation:

Spray Bundt pan with cooking spray. Place the cranberries in bottom of pan. Measure out the seed. In a medium sized sauce pan on medium heat, whisk together the packets of unflavored gelatin and warm water. Whisk until dissolved. Add in the corn starch and light corn syrup. Whisk until there are no lumps left.

The mixture starts to form a thick paste very quickly. The paste should be smooth and thick. Once the paste is formed, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the 4 cups of bird seed. Add the combined mixture to the Bundt pan.

Using your fingers, pack it down firmly. Evenly distribute the mixture so the wreath will be balanced when hung. Place in the fridge overnight to harden the wreath. After the wreath is hardened, gently remove from the pan by flipping it upside down. It comes out very easily.

Attach the ribbon and hang where the birds will find it. It didn't take them long!

GOING TO THE DOGS...

I made dog biscuits with my brother a couple years ago for his 2 beautiful cocker spaniels, but the biscuits were a little dry and too thick so I did some research, combined a bunch of different recipes and came up with these doggie treats. These biscuits were a big hit among my dog friends.

Doggie Treats!

Bailey Sykes is so well behaved, he is waiting to say 'Ok to EAT'!

And now, Mom Karen gives the go-ahead.

Goldie Prim with her Mom, Joyce.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour. I used white, but you could also use whole wheat.

1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats; not the instant kind

1 large egg

1 cup natural creamy peanut butter

1 Tbsp. baking powder

3/4 cup non-fat dry milk

3 Tbsp. bacon fat

3 strips crispy cooked bacon, chopped

La Quinta Ungerecht checking out her treat.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, gently mix peanut butter, powdered milk, and egg together. Add the flour and baking powder. Mix in the oats, bacon fat and bacon. The dough is quite stiff so you may need to pour it onto a floured surface to fully mix together by kneading.

Using a floured rolling pin, roll to about a little more than 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters or a knife. Arrange on the baking sheets.

Bake for 20 minutes or until very lightly browned on the bottom. Remove from the oven and flip the biscuits to the other side and bake for an additional 12 minutes more. Allow to cool completely before serving to your pup.