In the past I've seen this done in various places on the Internet and in magazines.
I've have an old, round aluminum jello mold that I don't use anymore, and it was the perfect shape for a "wreath."
The idea is to fill the mold with seeds and any other things the birds might find appetizing, add water, and place in the freezer until solid. You can add decorative items such as cuttings from pine boughs or colorful leaves of a natural source.
I was so pleased with the way it turned out. I put a ribbon hanger on it and hung it off one of the clothes line hooks on the deck.
I did learn a lesson of something to try to avoid when making another wreath: Millet seeds sink to the bottom. For future wreaths, must figure out a way to keep them suspended in the mix with the other goodies.
After hanging the wreath, wouldn't ya know, that afternoon our temp rose to the low 30s . . . and my wreath started to drip. ("Hellllp, I'm mellllting!")
So I moved it from the position on the deck to the north side of this big birch tree to give it a little protection.
But with the unseasonably warm weather we seem to be experiencing (again, still and yet), my lovely ice wreath for the birds is quickly disappearing. And I've yet to see a bird go near it. (Hrumpf.)
No matter. The wreaths are fun to make, they're decorative, and I've got three more made and waiting in the freezer.
For when winter weather finally arrives in northern Minnie-soda!
That is so beautiful! Can you put it back in the deep freeze until your weather catches up?
ReplyDeleteSusan - Well, I could have . . . if I'd been a little quicker on the draw! By the time I realized the wreath was fighting a losing battle out there, it had deteriorated to the point where it was pretty pathetic. I reasoned (gave myself an excuse) that maybe the birds would more readily go after the seeds, etc. without the hard ice coating? Oh, well.
DeleteI really should look for a mold at the thrift next trip. That is a good idea and looks so pretty. I want to freeze food scraps for the hens on very hot days next summer.
ReplyDeleteKristina - What a great idea to make ice wreaths in the summer for the chickens! It would be fun to hang one from a low branch or bush and watch them go at it!
DeleteThat looks so nice!! Let us know if any birds do show up to it. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn- I will do that! And thank you.
DeleteWhat a great idea! It's a beautiful wreath--dripping or not! And I think you're right--the boids will show up once the ice melts enough to expose the tasty treats!
ReplyDeleteMollie - I sure hope the birds discover it soon. We were gone much of the day today so I didn't have much time to watch the wreath and the birds, but will keep a sharp eye out tomorrow!
DeleteIt sure is a pretty wreath. How do the birds eat the goodies? Do they peck away at it or do they eat the goodies after it has thawed some?
ReplyDeleteLaurie - I'm thinking the birds would more readily go after the goodies, seeds and such, after the wreath has thawed some. But would they know to wait for that? In nature, in the cold winter time, the seeds and berries they find in nature are frozen solid, sometimes with a coating of ice around them so maybe they can peck at the frozen wreath? I really don't know . . .
DeleteMama Pea,
ReplyDeleteI love your bird wreath. I just wish I had more room in my freezers to make them :-)........freezers are packed with food for the new year.
You know you could make wreaths like this but for human punch or drinks.
Sandy - Yes, I've done a little bit of catering (on a very small scale) in the past and have made ice wreaths to float in punch bowls. They always look so pretty and serve to keep the punch cold!
DeleteMy freezers are reaching the overflow point right now, too. I just got a big supply of flour which I keep in the freezer and a bunch of meat. And then there's my favorite organic ice cream that's been on sale . . . :o/
Nice. I always like good things for the birds! :)
ReplyDeleteSandy - I can hardly wait for real cold winter weather so I can pull those other three bird wreaths out of the freezer! I did notice birds picking up seeds from the ground underneath where my first wreath melted.
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ReplyDeleteSo creative! I just tossed some excess bread cubes (from making stuffing) in the yard (no snow) and amused myself watching a blue jay and a really fat squirrel gorge themselves.
ReplyDeleteJen - No snow here either! The three other ice wreaths I made are still languishing in the freezer because our temps have been going into the 40s each day (no end of that in sight!) and I know they would melt if I put them out. Whadda winter!
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