12.18.2009

Outdoor Christmas Tree for the Birds...

First for the garland, I put peanuts and cranberries on wire (from a spool.) It's important to use wire because if you use string the critters will bite through it and take all the garland off the tree!

Next "we" (my husband decided to join in the fun) drilled holes in dried corn cobs. I tied these to the tree with zip ties.

This is just bird seed you buy that is already in a square shape...Tie some raffia around it and it's a cute present~ You can buy bell shaped too or make your own!

The bird houses I bought at Jo-Ann's craft store. They are light-weight and I tied them on the tree with wire. I painted the bird houses seven years ago and they still look great from being out in the weather. Some of the houses I painted red, some white, some both colors-Then I sanded them a little on the edges, stained them with walnut stain then wiped most the stain off.


Add them all together and you have a cute tree for the birds and squirrels. I put the tree in my backyard right outside the window from my formal dining room table. It's a great conversation piece at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
I love walking through my formal living room and seeing it outside all lit up at night.


This guy (Steller's jay) visits daily-He thinks he is king of the tree~

Seriously, he thinks I made this tree just for him.

But the truth is, the squirrels rule...Sometimes two squirrels will visit the tree at the same time and be running up and down chasing each other all over "in" the tree. This is why I tie everything down with wire or zip ties.

This little guy is pretty shy, but will poke his head out for a second or two to grab a peanut.

Did I say the squirrels ruled the tree? My bad, this is my dog Charlie, she is in charge "when" she's not sleeping.

***
By the way: Hummingbirds like to buzz the star on top of the tree. I put a little  feeder on the tree for them. I also attached bare sticks sticking out the sides for the birds to sit on. I get alot of chickadees that like someplace to perch. Many other types of birds will wait on the ground for food to fall...It's so fun to watch and see who will be next to stop in for a treat.
*****

33 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday sweet Noelle
    Happy Birthday to you!!

    I remember when allyour Grandma's blogging friends were anxiously awaiting the miracle of your birth!! It is so much fun seeing you grow!

    Robin, Love the tree!! I have to remember that for future!!

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  2. AWE, Happy birthday sweet miracle baby Noelle!!

    That tree is awesome!

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  3. Come on over and I will gladly let you make a tree like this for me.

    Noelle,
    A Happy Birthday to you
    A Happy Birthday to you,
    Everyday of the year,
    May you feel Jesus near,
    A Happy Birthday to you,
    A Happy Birthday to you,
    and the best year you've ever had!!

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  4. A big happy Birthday to Noelle!

    I LOVE your tree! I am doing this next year for sure!

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  5. First of all- HAppy Birthday to sweetest little Noelle! Love you, Cutie!

    Second of all, I feel like flying to your house JUST to sit by the window and look at your tree, Robin! And, of course, to see you, too.:) The tree is amazingly beautiful!!! You did a fabulous job- no surprise, though, Sis.:) Lori

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  6. Happy, HAPPY Birthday dear Noelle!!!! I can't believe a year has already gone by!!!!!!♥

    I absolutely LOVE your bird and squirrel tree. What a WONDERFUL idea and it is so beautiful. I know those birds and squirrels just LOVE it! You are just the best-est!!!!!

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  7. Oh Happy Birthday to your little princess!!

    I want to do this so bad! I love your tree--I love the decorations, the food,and the animals who visit. Does it take long for the animals to find it after you decorate the tree?

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  8. What a great ideal. I love this post!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  9. I can not believe your beautiful granddaughter is already 1 year old. I remember this miracle well!! I love the outdoor tree.

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  10. Now this is too precious! And Charlie looks like he's ready for some action! Love having you on my blog list for easy access to come and visit for great ideas. Come check out my Sterling Silver Set Post and leave a comment; you'll be glad you did and I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

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  11. I love to watch birds and squirrels! It would be so fun to watch them out the dining room window.

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  12. Hi Robin
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Noelle. Hope she is having/has had a great 1st birthday.
    Your outdoor tree looks beautiful. What a wonderful idea. Now your bird friends will have a Christmas treat and you will enjoy watching them. Perfect. The tree looks amazing all lit up outside your window. You have the best ideas.
    Have a great weekend.
    Lindsay
    x

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  13. Great tree. The birds in my area would love it~
    Kate

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  14. What a wonderful post ~ it's for the birds, lol.
    A very big Happy Birthday to Noelle.
    hugs,
    Pam

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  15. Happy 1st Birthday Noelle! I can't believe a year has gone by already. I love your "critter tree"! Too cute!

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  16. OMGoodness!! This is far too cute! Can't wait to see what comes from your nest in 2010. I look forward to it! Have a beautiful holiday season! :)

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  17. I loved, loved, loved this post. Especially the pics at the end with all the little creatures enjoying your goodness. : )
    Thank you for the wonderful tutorials, below. The 'supermarket flower' arrangement turned out beautiful!!!
    And last...Happy Birthday sweet Noelle! I finally got to watch the little clip of her at the mirror. It left me smiling ear to ear.
    Take care,
    Mary Lou

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  18. Oh this is wonderful! I will have to try this;) I just wanted 2 see how u were and 2 wish u and yours HAPPY HOLIDAYS;)

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  19. SO sweet!
    And Happy belated Birthday to Noelle!! I can't believe it's already been a year!!!!

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  20. WOW a YEAR? I still remember as we awaited your miracle. What a joy she is to all.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

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  21. Hope you have a blessed and very Merry Christmas! ♥ HUGS ♥

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  22. Robin, your tree is really more beautiful than I had imagined! Oh the birdies and squirrels must LOVE you!
    And happy "belated" birthday to Noelle! What a joy she must be to you!

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  23. Merry Christmas, Robin!

    Happy Birthday (sorry I'm late) to your sweet lil blessing :)

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  24. Oh Robin I just now found time to catch up on some blogs and I think this is my favorite. How cute is that, your little tree for the animals and the fact that they use it is wonderful. Hope your holidays were as wonderful as your blog is. It just gives me great enjoyment to read it.

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  25. Hi Robin,
    This is my first time visiting and I have added you to my blog list so I can come visit more often. I'm an avid bird watcher and feeder. I love all the feathered and furry friends that visit our feeders each and every day. No one is shooed away as they're all God's creatures and I love them all!
    I truly enjoyed my visit here and so love the crafty ideas and inspriation you've given. I have a dwarf spruce right off our front porch and I'm going to decorate it for the birds next year. I might not even wait a year and just do it for the New Year!
    You're an inspiration and a breath of fresh air to the blogging world.
    Hugs & blessings to you~ Birgit

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  26. how cute! I will have to try something similar next year when I get a deck love it. Happy New Year!

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  27. Oh my goodness!! What a wonderful idea!! How fun!

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  28. What a great way to celebrate the outdoors. Love your idea and tree.
    I bet Charlie does rule. lol
    Just came by to wish you a Happy New Year
    Maggie

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  29. Hi Robin, just stopping by to wish you a very Happy New Year. Can you believe it's 2010--it sounds so futuristic to me!

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  30. I absolutely LOVE it! I had a big smile on my face as I was reading this and looking at your photos.

    Happy Birthday Miss Noelle! (Even if I'm the teensiest bit late...)

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  31. Happy 2010 to you and your family!!!! may you truly have a blessed year!

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  32. Robin.... I miss you....

    Please come back....


    :)

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