WINTER IS FOR THE BIRDS!

I've always been interested in birds and what they do in the winter for food.  I've always left the berries and seeds on different perennials, trees and bushes that I know they can feed on, but there are also many things we can do to feed birds in the winter months, especially when those sources are scarce. Feeding them can be fun and very rewarding. Here are a few tips for beginners that want to attract and feed the birds that stay around in winter:

• TO ATTRACT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BIRDS: Hopper and platform feeders are best with a wide cover over the feeding areas so the seed won't get buried in snow.  If they can fly through, it's even better.
• WHERE TO PUT YOUR FEEDER: Place your feeder in a sheltered location.  A place close to your house makes it nice so you can watch, in a place where they'll be protected from predators, but make sure it's about 5 or more feet away from walls or windows, which will help minimize collisions.
• HOW BIG SHOULD THE FEEDER BE: Because you don't want to be filling the feeder real often, if you have a large one, it's better.  Just be sure that the seed isn't getting soggy--you don't want mildew or spoiling seeds. NOTE: Platform feeders should be emptied and refilled daily for this purpose.
• WHY KEEP MY FEEDER CLEAN: For one thing, birds will be attracted to your feeder in snowy weather, when insects and fruits are harder to find, so they will be feeding on seeds and you'll want to keep your feeder clean and safe for them to keep them healthy as well.
• WHAT KIND OF FEED SHOULD BE PROVIDED? Seeds and nuts high in fat or oil are best.  These include peanut butter, hulled peanuts, black oil sunflower seeds and suet mixes with seeds or fruit.
• WHAT SPECIES OF BIRDS WILL BE FEEDING? Seed-eaters include  cardinals, titmice, chickadees and finches.  Goldfinches like thistle seeds.  Woodpeckers and nuthatches like suet.
• WHAT CAN I DO IF I DON'T HAVE A FEEDER? You can buy suet in blocks or bags and hang them from tree branches if you don't have a feeder.  Another thing we've done is spread peanut butter thoroughly on a big pine cone, then roll it in seeds/nuts.  These are also hung from trees throughout the yard.  The birds love it!

There is a joy that comes from watching our fine feathered friends feed during the winter months.  If you haven't fed the birds in winter, Try it, I think you'll really enjoy it!

25 WAYS to be HAPPY and MAKE OTHERS SMILE

1. Smile and say "Hi" to someone new
2. Do a random act of kindness daily
3. Hug someone in your family for no reason
4. Write a letter to a distant relative
5. Bake some cookies for the local police or fire department
6. Send a thank you note
7. Donate good, used items to charity or a family in need
8. Send or take someone flowers
9. Call an old friend just to say "Hi"
10. Send a copy of an old photo to a childhood friend
11. Forgive daily
12. Be a courteous driver
13. Give people the benefit of a doubt
14. Bake a treat for a neighbor
15. Give someone a recording of their (or your) favorite music
16. Share vegetables from your garden with your neighbors
17. Tell someone you believe in them
18. Ask an elderly person to tell you about the "good old days"
19. Surprise someone with a small gift
20. Visit the sick or the home bound
21. Be tolerant of and civil to those with differing opinions
22. Sincerely compliment someone every day
23. Stop and buy a drink from a kid's lemonade stand
24. Let someone know you really appreciate them
25. Celebrate something every day!

QUICK AND EASY WAY TO CLEAN PESTICIDES ON YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

I have been a little concerned about all the pesticides that we may be consuming by way of our fruits and vegetables.  Although I have always washed my fruits and vegetables before eating, I've often wondered if any of the residue was still on the piece of produce.  Here's a quick and easy recipe for taking off pesticides on fruit or vegetables.  You can mix it up and keep it in a spray bottle, handy to just apply a quick spray, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse off.  This safe concoction, using normal household ingredients, is especially good for apples, strawberries, spinach, and peaches, which are produce items that are widely sprayed with pesticides.   But any fruit or vegetable without a protective coating or layer will benefit from this easy solution!  Produce items that need to be peeled, like bananas, avocados, kiwi, onions and oranges are protected and it's not necessary to clean them. 

PESTICIDE PRODUCE CLEANER
1 Cup water
1 Cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
juice of 1/2 lemon
Mix and pour into spray bottle.  Spray on produce; let sit for 5 minutes.  Rinse off. Mixture keeps for a long time.  May be kept in the refrigerator.  Happy and safe eating!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My son's friend sent him this sentiment that I thought was beautifully said and artistically done.  What better way to start out the new year, 2011, than by following these 10 basic fundamentals suggested by Gandhi that can help to make our lives, and those around us, more abundant, happy and productive!  As he said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."