Suet

My "productive before noon" project today is suet for the birds. The weatherpeople have predicted extremely cold temperatures next week. I make my own suet for the birds. I do not use seeds because the fat makes them slippery and difficult to grasp and hull. I use shortening, peanut butter and cornmeal. The shortening has to be the kind that will set up, not hydrogenated or it will be runny which will only make a worse mess. I'm not sure the proportions are important.

Soften the shortening and peanut butter then mix in as much cornmeal as you have the strength to move. Put it in a pan to harden. Make sure you don't make it deeper than your cages are. When it sets up, cut it into the size blocks you need. If you line the pan with waxed paper, you'll have an easier time getting the suet cakes out.

You can add other items like raisins or cranberries. I usually don't. The only problem with this is the blackbirds. Once the starlings find it, they mob the place and keep the other birds out.