Camp Verde Snow Day

As of a couple of days ago I still had at least one hummingbird hanging around.  I really hope he survives this cold snap.  I've kept food out for him because if he hasn't moved on yet, I expect he isn't going to.  As you can see from the picture taken from my front yard this morning, its a bit chilly out.   Not being a snow person,  I think its pretty as long as I don't have to live in it.   Birds though, live outside year round.  In times like these I think they appreciate a few treats.  You can purchase suet blocks or make your own.  Making your own is really easy and could be a fun project if you have kids.   Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.      

1 cup lard
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
Other things you will need include cookie cutters, waxed paper and a chopstick or something similar.

Melt the lard and peanut butter in a saucepan at low heat.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to form a thick mixture.  Pour or spoon the mix into the cookie cutters to a depth of about 1 inch.  Poke a hole in the suet near the top of each cutter.  Make the hole large enough to thread ribbon or yarn through it.  Put the tray of filled cookie cutters into the freezer for at least a week.  Remove the "cookies" from the cutters and peel off the waxed paper.  Thread ribbon or yarn through each and hang outside.  Makes around 12 cookies. 

(If you don't have cookie cutters,  you can use muffin tins, or simply pour it into a cake pan.  Put wax paper on the bottom.  If you use a cake pan you will have to cut the mixture into smaller pieces once it comes out of the freezer.)