How to Decorate With Home Made Hummingbird Feeders

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Making a home-made feeder can be as simple as pouring home-made nectar into a red colored or flower decorated cup, bowl, plate or saucer and setting it out on a table. However with these methods the birds may waste energy hovering mid-air to get to the nectar or splashing about in the nectar.

Here are a few simple ideas for making your own homemade feeder.

i) Frisbee TM Feeder

A very simple homemade feeder is simply a red Frisbee TM that is turned upside down so that the birds can use the curved edge of the Frisbee as a perch. You can drill holes in the Frisbee and hang it with brightly colored yarn from a tree and/or decorate the rim with dangling red ribbons, glitter and flowers. You can also sit this kind of feeder down on a table.

If you decide to use this kind of feeder remember to empty it every day and replace it with fresh homemade nectar. Exposure to the elements can make the nectar spoil faster than the contents of a bottled feeder.

ii) Milk Carton Feeder

Punch a hole about the size of a matchstick into the side of a very clean, used milk carton. Make sure the hole is near the bottom of the feeder.

Cover the carton with images of red or pink flowers cut out of a magazine. Tape long dangling red ribbons to the bottom of the feeder.

Fill the feeder part way full with homemade hummingbird nectar.

You can leave this feeder to be freestanding or you can punch holes near the top so that you can hang it from a perch or a tree with bright red ribbons or attach it securely with pipe cleaners.

iii) Plastic Bottle Feeder

Find a small plastic bottle that holds 8 oz or less. You can use old medicine bottles or bottles that used to contain vanilla or almond essence. Make sure these bottles are very clean first. Tie a long red ribbon or red pipe cleaner around the nape of the bottle, fill it with homemade nectar and hang it from a tree.

iv) Red Glass Jar Feeder

Find a small red or ruby colored glass jar. You can find these at antique markets or craft stores. Make sure the opening of the bottle is wide enough for the hummingbird to insert it’s beak. Wire this to a tree branch with pipe cleaners and fill it with homemade hummingbird solution.

v) Test Tube Feeder

Find a test tube with a bright red cap. Drill or poke a matchstick sized hole in the center of the cap. Wrap the test tubes tightly with red pipe cleaners and attach securely to a perch or a tree.

How to Decorate Cocktails With Fragrant Herbs

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One of the most contemporary ways to decorate cocktails is with very aromatic herbs. You can just use the plain herb or you can also use it when it is in full flower for a beautiful effect. Here is a look at how you can use herbs in cocktails.

Angelica – Depending on the variety, flower range from pale lavender-blue to deep rose. It has a flavor similar to licorice. Angelica buds are perfect for garnishing drinks made with Sambuca, Pernod or Galliano.

Arugula -. An Italian green usually appreciated raw in salads or on sandwiches. The flowers are small, white with dark centers and can be used to add an intense, sharp spicy taste to Bloody Mary’s and Bloody Caesars.

Basil – Depending on the type, the flowers are either bright white, pale pink, or a delicate lavender. The leaves can be rolled up and skewered along with cherry tomatoes to garnish tomato based drinks. Linguine with Tomatoes and Basil

Borage – These blue star-shaped flowers taste like cucumber. They are good in bloody drinks and gin and tonics.
Cilantro/Cilantro – These leafy green herbs give tomato based cocktails a Mediterranean vibe. They are also great in martinis that have an Asian flair or that are citrus or pepper flavored.

Dill – Bright yellow dill flowers look great floating in a Bloody Mary.

Fennel – These yellow, licorice-scented star shaped flowers suit Harvey Wallbangers.

Lemon Verbena – These cream-colored citrus-scented blossoms add a kick to gin and tonic or gin and soda.

Marjoram – The tiny pinkish flowers can be sprinkled sparingly on top of a tomato based cocktail.

Mint – The flavor of the flowers is minty, with different overtones depending on the variety. Mint can be used to garnish any cocktail you like whether it be savory or sweet. They are particularly pleasant in rum based cocktails such as the Mojito.

Oregano – This tastes smoky and beautiful added to a martini with an olive.

Radish Flowers – Depending on the variety, flowers may be pink, white or yellow, and will have a distinctive, spicy bite (has a radish flavor). Best used in tomato based drinks

Rosemary – Sprigs of rosemary can give a very dry martini and interesting snap.

Sage – The flowers are violet-blue, pink or white clusters and suit a Bloody Mary best.

Tarragon – A spike of tarragon adds interest to a martini or tomato based cocktail. It also suits lime based cocktails well.