I  just hate it when I have the urge to cook and the cupboards are bare.  I had no eggs, no sugar, and very little flour which pretty much limited my cooking extravaganza.

New Years day started out dreary and cold, rain beginning mid morning and even turning to snow by the afternoon.  There was no way I was leaving my warm house to go grocery shopping.

Sweet Baby Luke and PaPa were sound asleep by the wood stove.

As I looked out my picture window, I noticed a flurry of winged activity on my bird feeders.  The gold finch had found the snowman feeder,

a chickadee found my peanut feeder,

a tufted titmouse discovered the suet feeder,

and the cardinals were patiently waiting their turn for any spot available.

It was then I realized I did have all the ingredients to make more suet.

I have seen many recipes for homemade suet but I have stuck with this particular one for several years.  It’s easy, quick and always a favorite among the birdies.

Suet squares:  In a large pan, melt 1 cup of shortening or lard on low.  Add 1 cup of chunky peanut butter and stir until melted.  Remove from heat.  Add 3 cups of cornmeal, 1 cup of flour, and 1 cup of birdseed.  Feel free to add dried fruit at this point if you like.  Pour into a wax paper lined 9×13 pan and place in the freezer to harden.  After it hardens, you can cut into squares and keep in the refrigerator.

I also found a recipe for a birdseed wreath from blogger Rebecca at Rebecca’s Bird Gardens.  This recipe was also very easy to do and I’m anxious to see how the birds like it.  The recipe makes enough for two wreaths but, yet again, I only had enough cornstarch for one.  I did use a bundt pan for the mold and I think it turned out pretty good.

Click on the link above for the recipe.  Have fun and enjoy feeding those birds!

Brenda