DIY – Page 4 – With Boys in Tow

This orange bird feeder was so fun and easy to make. I’m looking forward to all the bird watching the boys and I will get to do too as a result. Jay loved helping make this, and this was a great project for him to help with. Not a lot of mess, which was a huge bonus for me, and him feeling like he’s helping, which was a huge bonus for him. And it can all be done using ingredients you probably have on hand already.

Start with an orange, and slice it in half (one orange can make two feeders).

Take out the insides with a fork or knife (I used both!). It’s ok if there is a thin layer of orange left inside.

With a knife or skewer (I used a knife) poke either side of the orange to create a whole large enough for string to fit through.

The filling! We used 1/2 c. oats, 1/4 c. peanut butter, 1/8 c. raisins, 1/8 c. sunflower seeds (this is enough to fill two orange halves). Using oats and peanut butter as a base you can pretty much add whatever else you want. I just had raisins and sunflower seeds on hand.

Jay trying to cool down the filling mixture for the birds by blowing on it. He sees me do this with Charlie’s food to cool it down, so his sweet, nurturing self wanted to do the same for the birds (even though it wasn’t hot, ha). 😉

Filling the oranges up with the filling mixture. Pressing it down in the cup will help the mixture stay in better if its windy out.

What is helping Mom cook without sneaking a bite… or two. Bird food so good that even Jay will eat it!

To finish, cut a long piece of string or hemp. String it through your orange holes on either side, and then tie a knot on either side to secure. Hang on a tree or a plant hook (we chose a plant hook because we don’t have any trees by our balcony).

Easy, Orange Bird Feeder

(makes 2 feeders)

1 orange

1/2 c. oats

1/4 c. peanut butter

1/8 c. raisins

1/8 c. sunflower seeds

hemp or string

Cut orange in half, take out filling from both halves. Using a knife or a skewer, poke two small holes in each of the orange halves, on either side of the orange.
Combine oats, peanut butter, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
Cut a long piece of string or hemp. String it through your orange holes on either side, and then tie a knot on either side to secure. Repeat with the other orange halve.
Hang up your bird feeder, and enjoy watching the birds come visit!

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The other day Jay was really wanting to make play dough, and I loved the idea, but remembered I didn’t have any food dye. My car is in the shop getting repaired, so I couldn’t go buy any and I had to get creative! I googled some recipes and found an EASY way to naturally dye play dough with an ingredient I already had in my house, turmeric. Not only is this a convenient recipe using ingredients you probably have on hand, it is also so much safer than using food dye, especially if your little ones are accidentally sneaking a bite here and there (I know Jay does!). This play dough is based off of a few different play dough recipes I found, that I adapted to create something convenient and safe, all without losing the texture and bright color of traditional play dough.

Homemade play dough is nostalgic for me, because my Mom always made our play dough growing up. She was, and is incredible at being resourceful and creative, and play dough was one of our favorite quiet time activities. Jay loves it just as much, and I’m so excited to have a super safe recipe for play dough that he create those same memories with.

This play dough came together so fast, and Jay actually helped me make most of it (except for the portion of the recipe that took place on the stovetop–which was really only 4 mins). He was SO proud that “he made” play dough and found it that much more fun and exciting to play with too, which was a huge added bonus. Have your little one help you and it will be a memorable experience for you both! Way better than just picking some up at Walmart (however I’ve done that hundreds of times, so obviously no judgement, ha!).

Jay helping combine the dry ingredients. It got a little messy, but the pride on his face from making his play dough really was worth it.

Combining the liquid ingredients.

Enjoying his play dough!!

Easy, Naturally Dyed Homemade Play Dough

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt (or fine sea salt–thats what I used)

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 tablespoon coconut oil (vegetable oil or olive oil will work too)

1 cup water

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Instructions:

Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a bowl, set aside.
Stir together water and turmeric in a separate small bowl, after combined, add coconut oil.
Add water/turmeric/coconut oil mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until ingredients are well blended.
Add entire mixture to a saucepan over medium low heat. Cook the dough, stirring frequently, until it starts to pull away from the sides of the pot (typically about 3-5 mins). Remove from saucepan immediately (this step is especially important in order to get moist play dough with that elastic, moldable texture that we all love).
Remove the dough from the saucepan and let sit for 5 mins.
Knead dough for two minutes.
Store in an airtight container.

This is definitely my new go-to play dough recipe. Enjoy, and let me know how it goes when you make it! Also, does anyone have any great recommendations for play dough toys? We’ve been using forks, knives, and cookie cutters, but would love to hear what you use!

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