March Break Fun!

March Break Ideas

CTV Ottawa News at Noon - March 5, 2013

Julie and the kids make bird feed, paper flowers and prints.

Providing a supplemental food will help ensure birds have enough energy to stay warm. Calorie-rich black sunflower seeds and preservative-free suet are great choices. Place feeders at different heights to attract different species. Platform feeding areas attract jays and grosbeaks, while titmice and finches enjoy hanging feeders. Ground feeders like mourning doves and juncos will take care of any seeds that fall from elevated feeders.

1. Continue to stock feeders. Early foods are still scarce, and there is still the possibility of snow.
2. Place raisins and other cut-up fruit in bare spots under a tree to please early birds like robins.
3. Set up and fill a bird bath once temperatures are above freezing.
4. Put out hummingbird feeders so early arrivals have a source of nectar while flowers are scarce.
5. Leave scraps of yarn or cut hair in your yard for birds to use as nesting material.

Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders

what you’ll need:
-3/4 cup birdseed
-1/4 cup water
-1 small envelope of knox gelatine
-twine or string
-cookie cutters, molds or mason jar lids
-wax paper

what you’ll do:
-mix together the envelope of gelatine with 1/4 cup of water and bring to a simmer while stirring. continue stirring until the gelatine is dissolved.
-remove from heat and let cool for a minute.
-stir in the 3/4 cup birdseed. adding a little more if there is liquid still in the bottom of the pan.
-lay your cookie cutters out on wax paper and fill half way with the birdseed mixture.

-cut your twine, knot the end and push the knot down into your birdseed.
-continue filling with birdseed, covering the end of your twine and knot.
-push the birdseed evenly into the cookie cutter until it’s full.

-allow them to dry overnight. turning them over every now and then.
-remove from the cookie cutters and hang them in your trees.
-then wait by the window to watch for your first guest.

Thanks to eighteen25 for the idea

Bagel Bird Feeder

1 day-old bagel
Lard
Birdseed
Jute or string (for hanging

Spread entire bagel with lard. Place birdseed on a paper plate. Roll the bagel in the birdseed. Tie jute or string through the hole of the bagel to hang the bagel. The birds can eat the whole thing!

 

This is easy & fun for a children's project. Tie this in a tree somewhere near a window if possible. Children love to watch the birds have the snack that they helped to make!

Pine Cone and Peanut Butter Bird Feeder. 

Family Day Fun - tarts, muffins and experiements

 

MAPLE SYRUP

Maple Butter Tarts

Preparation Time: Not Available 
Cooking Time: Not Available 
Servings: 10 to 12 tarts

Ingredients:

• Baking Time: 15 to 20 minutes
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) firmly-packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) Ontario Maple Syrup
• 10 to 12 unbaked tart shells

Preparation:

Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Blend in syrup. Pour into tart shells. Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Maple Bran Muffins

Preparation Time: not available 
Cooking Time: not available 
Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) natural wheat bran
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) Ontario Maple Syrup
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
• 1-1/4 cup (325 mL) whole wheat flour
• 3 tsp (15 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2mL) salt
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped walnuts

Preparation:

Combine bran, milk and maple syrup. Mix in egg and oil. Combine remaining ingredients and add first mixture to this until just moistened. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400ºF (200ºC) for 20 minutes.

     

Contest closes February 15 at noon

Here's your chance to win a fantastic Winterlude pack it all in prize pack valued at over $150. All you have to do is correctly identify the nine items below. These are all items that you would want in your back pack if you were heading down to the canal for a day of fun!

1. Look at the nine pictures below.
2. Give us your best guess of what that item may be.
3. Post your guesses in comments below. ex: coffee, socks, pencil, shoe lace
4. ***Want a hint?*** Share or retweet and we will DM you a hint for every time you do.

Penny for Your Thoughts - and 25 other great uses.

1. Tape one to the tail of your kite for a little more stabilizing weight.
2. Teach your toddler to count with them.
3. Use as an impromptu screwdriver in a wide slotted bolt.
4. Scratch off lottery tickets.
5. For good luck, place one over every doorway when you move into a home.
6. Fill a sock with pennies for self defense.
7. Play penny poker.
8. Toss them in wishing wells.
9. Use to make crafts and jewelry.
10. Use to open the battery compartment of a remote control.
11. Toss one to see which side starts the soccer game.
12. Spin them on the table for entertainment while waiting for your order at a diner.
13. Toss into the deep end of the pool and challenge the kids to dive and get them.
14. Find one heads up to have good luck.
15. Place them in the hems of your draperies to make them hang smoothly.
16. Make pretend spurs
17. Get one to cling to the end of your nose without tilting your head back.
18. Fill the slots of your penny loafers.
19. Toss in fountains to make wishes.
20. Use as a spacer when laying tile.
21. Use as a bookmark.
22. Use as replacement checkers when you lose some.
23. Weigh down hems from dresses. Open up the hemline and drop a penny in.
24. Glue one onto a shoe for a tap dance shoe.
25. To make round corners on a photo, put the penny on the photo, trace lightly around the edge, and then cut on the line.

Give someone a penny for their thoughts!

Packing it all in - Winterlude

It’s Winterlude, the skating, the sculptures, the sliding and the excitement.  It’s finally here. 

Every year, I pack up my family and head down to the canal. We usually take the bus, so it is important that I pack wisely.  Here are some tips for you. 

A backpack: The single most important item for packing it all in during Winterlude. Remember you need somewhere to hold all of those boots while you are skating.  It’s a great idea to stash a few plastic bags into your pack for items that may get wet.   Make sure your pack has lots of exterior pockets and zippers for easy access to change, bus tickets, mittens and sunglasses.

Food and Water: Fruit, granola and energy bars are backpack staples in any season.  Don’t let the cold fool you.  You need to stay hydrated when participating in sports.  Bring an insulated water bottle along.  Another great idea would be to bring along a Thermos of hot soup to keep the little one's energy up and thier bellies warm along the way.  

Accessories: Nothing will ruin your day faster than lost hats, scarves or mittens.  Always pack extras.  Don’t forget the sunglasses. 

Cash: There is nothing worse than standing in front of the shop for hot chocolate or beaver tails only to find they don’t take Interac.   Be sure to bring a few small bills and change. 

First Aid Kit:  Tuck a few band aids, Tylenol and some cotton squares into your pack.  Skates that are not used very often tend to cause blisters.

Tissues: Enough said.

Sunscreen and lip balm: The sun and wind are strong elements on a winter’s afternoon.  Be sure to pack sunscreen, but avoid spray on types in the cold. 

Phone and charger: Did you know that the cold drains phone batteries faster than in normal temperatures.  Pack your charger and keep your phone close to your body.  You won’t want to miss any pics of those great family memories.