by Cathy Monrad

Materials
1½ cups cornmeal
¼ cup flour
2 cups bird food mix
½ cup lard 
½ cup chunky peanut butter
2-3 mugs
2-3 sturdy sticks 8 inches long
Twine (optional)

Tools
Large bowl 
Wooden spoon
Nonstick saucepan

Instructions

1. In large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, and birdseed together. 
2. Melt lard and peanut butter in saucepan.
3. Pour melted lard and peanut butter over birdseed mixture. Stir until mixed thoroughly. 
4. Spoon suet mixture into mugs and press down to remove air pockets. 
5. Push sticks into suet mixture all the way to bottom of mug. Press mixture around sticks.
6. Refrigerate overnight until hardened.
7. Hang mug from tree branch or shepard’s hook, or use a piece of twine to tie handle to branch. 

Project Notes
–  Great way to reuse chipped mugs—just make sure there are no cracks.
–  Refrigerate until ready to use and place feeder out of direct sunlight to avoid spoilage; homemade suet is recommended for use when oudoor temperature is below 40 degrees F. 

Cathy Monrad is the graphic designer and garden crafter for Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.