Decorate a tree for the birds

During the winter, birds get by with a little help from their friends.

You can help the birds by setting out food for them, they will reward you with their lively presence. Trim an evergreen tree, if possible, to give birds shelter as well as sustenance.

Always tie on the tree with raffia .

Orange Cups: Cut oranges in half;scoop out the fruit. Make a handle for each cup by poking a small hole, one half inch from the rim on opposite sides. Push one end of an 8 inch ribbon into each hole;secure with a knot. Fill cups with birdseed or suet cakes.

Bread Cookie: Using bread heels or day old loaves,press a cookie cutter into a bread slice to make fun shapes. Make a hanger of raffia strung through a small hole in the cookie. Hang stale donuts, bagels, or rice cakes the same way.

Stuffed Pine cones: Melt 1 part peanut butter with 1 part lard(straight peanut butter is too hard for the birds to swallow). Roll 2 inch long pine cones in this "frosting" and then roll in birdseed before the fat hardens. Set on a cookie sheet to dry. Tie a raffia hanger to the top of each cone.

This is an inexpensive way to help our feathered friends. It will make you feel good.