People in Finland have always associated animals with the Christmas tale. This is the reason why animals have been pampered and offered extra food at Christmas. Even in these modern times it seems very appropriate to ensure that bird feeders are full of birdseed and to give pets specially packaged Christmas presents. A Christmas sheaf of oats for the birds is an old Nordic tradition.. | |
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Supplies: • 1 cup birdseed • 1/4 cup water • 1 small envelope of unflavored gelatin (about 8g) • Ribbon, twine, string, or yarn • Cookie cutters • Baking paper • Baking tray • Straws |
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Directions: 1. First add an envelope of unflavoured gelatine to a pot. 2. Then add ¼ cup water and bring it to a simmer, while stirring, until all the gelatine is dissolved. 3. Next add 1 cup of birdseed to a bowl. Mix the gelatine with the birdseed. 4. Line a baking tray with baking paper and put the cookie cutters on top. Spoon the birdseed mixture into the shapes, filling them all the way to the top. The mixture is really sticky so you will need to use the back of a spoon to make sure the mixture is packed really tightly and smooth out the top. 5. Next, cut a straw that's about 3 or 4 centimetres long and poke a hole through the top of each cookie cutter mould. Make sure that it goes all the way through because this is the hole you will use to string your ribbon for hanging. Leave the straw in while the mixture is drying. 6. Allow the mixture to dry in the cookie cutters overnight. Then slowly slide them out of the cookie cutters, remove the straws and string ribbon through them. |