
First, I hope you will take a little time to read about Hummie for he has a really good story to tell about his "Friendship" with Grandpa Sal. Then, you might want to make a Hummingbird Feeder to feed some of Hummie's Bird Friends. Then, you might want to make some of the Apple Knots to feed some of Your People Friends. That recipe is at the bottom of this post. Grandpa Sal loved Chayote Squash which come from Mexico, but they taste an awful lot like Apples. So you can just use apples for your recipe.
https://www.amazon.com/Hummie-Hummingbird-Donna-Watkins/dp/151521155X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1587157406&sr=8-1
Let's make a Homemade Hummingbird Feeder.
How to make a Mini Hummingbird Feeder from “Recyclable” Materials
1 (8 oz) Carnation Breakfast Drink Bottle
2 KFC Individual Sides Containers
1 Red Bottle Cap (Syrup or Bottled Soda)
Heavy String (about 30 inches)
Heavy Duty Glue (or) Hot Glue
Ice Pic and scissors with sharp point
Permanent Marker
Instructions: Wash and dry bottle, containers, bottle top. Turn Breakfast drink bottle upside down with cap situation in center of KFC lid. Draw a circle around top with marker. Remove bottle and ‘cut’ around the circle on the lid with scissors. Also punch about 4 holes into outer part of KFC lid – spaced evenly apart. Cut the hole ‘larger’ with scissors. Remove the cap from the drink bottle – push bottle through opening in the lid and screw on the cap from underneath side of KFC lid (this tightens the bottle to the KFC lid). Using the ice pic – punch 2 holes in the ‘bottom’ of the drink bottle – make the holes evenly match on opposite sides of the bottle. Thread the string through one side and out the other side of the bottle. Using the lid from the ‘second’ KFC container – punch 2 holes on opposite sides of the lid (just inside the outer edge of the lid). Glue the KFC lid to the bottom of the breakfast drink bottle (align the holes in the bottom of the bottle with the holes in the KFC lid before glueing. Glue the bottle cap or syrup top to the center of the second KFC lid. Thread the string through the ‘top’ KFC lid (the one glued to the bottom of the bottle). Spread a little glue around the neck of the bottle that is pushed inside ‘first’ KFC lid. When all glued parts are dry – hold fingers over holes in bottom of bottle – fill with hummingbird nectar – replace cap on bottle (underside of ‘first’ KFC lid. Push ‘bottom’ of KFC container against its top – make sure it snaps shut. Turn upside down and hang from small branch. Enjoy watching the Hummers feed and know that you have done something good for the environment by putting some of those ‘recycle’ materials to good use.
Here is a Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe to put in your Feeder:
Recipe for Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water with ½ cup granulated sugar (stir well until sugar has completely dissolved). Cook mixture at a full boil for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let mixture completely cool before pouring into hummingbird feeder.
- *Note: red food dye is not necessary to attract hummingbirds to the feeder and may not be a healthy addition to the homemade nectar. Instead, just choose a ‘Red’ colored Feeder ‘or’ tie a red ribbon to the edge of any feeder as a ‘color attraction’ for the birds.
1 Apple (Fuji or Granny Smith)
Sprite or Lemon Juice (for soaking)
2 Tbsps butter – melted
1 (8 oz) tube refrigerated crescent rolls
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp apple pie spice
How to make it:
Heat oven 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; very lightly spray with oil; set aside. Wash, peel, slice apples and place in bowl. Pour enough Sprite soft drink over apple slices to cover, or, make a solution of 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and 1 cup water and pour over apples (this amount will need to be adjusted to ‘cover’ apple slices). Combine brown sugar and apple pie spice in a bowl. Separate crescent dough into 8 triangles. Spread equal amounts of spiced sugar onto each triangle (about 1 ½ teaspoons each). Drain apple slices and place on each piece dough. Start with ‘short end’ of dough and roll up into a loose roll. Place filled rolls onto baking sheet. On each roll, curve the two ends toward center. Brush tops with melted butter. Bake 10 – 12 minutes or until rolls are browned. Cool slightly before serving. Recipe make 8 Apple Knots.
Note: You can 'substitute' a can of Apple Pie Filling for the fresh apple slices. Omit the apple and the Sprite from recipe and substitute a (14 oz) can Apple Pie Filling.