easy hummingbird feeder recipe
Hints From Heloise
By Heloise Saturday, May 26, 2007; 12:00 AM
Where's My Nectar?
Dear Heloise: Last month, I decided to grill out since it was a beautiful evening. I was standing near my patio when several HUMMINGBIRDS buzzed by me and circled around the exact spot where their feeder normally hangs. I take it down for the winter, but it became obvious that they wanted me to mix up some nectar, fill their feeder and hang it back up! They not only remembered where I fed them, but it seems they were telling me to get with it! -- Jane, Spring Branch, Texas
Aren't those little buzz bombers amazing? My husband, David, and I are big hummingbird fans, too. We have feeders here in San Antonio and at our home on the south Texas coast. Here's a hummer nectar you can easily make: All you need is 1 part white granulated sugar (don't use any sugar substitute, brown sugar or honey) to 4 parts boiling water. Stir the mixture until all of the sugar has dissolved, let it cool and fill the feeders. Make up a big batch and refrigerate. It should be fine for a few weeks. Be sure to give the refrigerated nectar a visual check. If it's cloudy, let it come to room temperature and stir to make it clear, or put in the microwave for just a few seconds. If it's still cloudy, it's best NOT to give it to our little hummers. My thanks to our human friends at the National Audubon Society for this information. Keep an eye on the feeders and replace the solution when it becomes cloudy, and, most importantly, clean outdoor feeders when needed.
DOG TAG
Dear Readers: Some time ago, a dear reader sent me a dog tag for our previous miniature schnauzer, Savvi, who had diabetes. The tag was etched "insulin-diabetic" with her name and mine, and contact information. I thought it was a great idea and a very kind gesture. It gave me peace of mind to know that if Savvi was lost or hurt, the person who found her would know that she has special needs.
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Audrey Hewett of Sidney, Maine, sent a photo of her granddaughter's cat, Copper, praying for a treat! She says, "He looks like he is praying, but actually he stands on his back paws and moves his front paws up and down as though he is catching something."
If your newspaper doesn't print the pet photo, go to www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see the photo of Copper.
GREAT PET BEDS
Dear Heloise: At the end of the life of a patio-chair cushion, I normally buy a new one and throw out the old one. I've found a new use for the old, faded chaise cushion that I hate to throw away! I simply cut any ties off of the cushions and use them as outdoor pet beds for my two chocolate Labs. My dogs love them! They're great because they are made of outdoor fabric and can get wet, but most still have a lot of loft in them. I can then take these "beds" with us on our family RV trips. The dogs still respond to their "bed" command, and they feel at home and not as displaced on vacation! Don't forget the savings to the pocketbook on outdoor doggie beds!
(c)2007 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
44By Heloise Saturday, May 26, 2007; 12:00 AM
Where's My Nectar?
Dear Heloise: Last month, I decided to grill out since it was a beautiful evening. I was standing near my patio when several HUMMINGBIRDS buzzed by me and circled around the exact spot where their feeder normally hangs. I take it down for the winter, but it became obvious that they wanted me to mix up some nectar, fill their feeder and hang it back up! They not only remembered where I fed them, but it seems they were telling me to get with it! -- Jane, Spring Branch, Texas
Aren't those little buzz bombers amazing? My husband, David, and I are big hummingbird fans, too. We have feeders here in San Antonio and at our home on the south Texas coast. Here's a hummer nectar you can easily make: All you need is 1 part white granulated sugar (don't use any sugar substitute, brown sugar or honey) to 4 parts boiling water. Stir the mixture until all of the sugar has dissolved, let it cool and fill the feeders. Make up a big batch and refrigerate. It should be fine for a few weeks. Be sure to give the refrigerated nectar a visual check. If it's cloudy, let it come to room temperature and stir to make it clear, or put in the microwave for just a few seconds. If it's still cloudy, it's best NOT to give it to our little hummers. My thanks to our human friends at the National Audubon Society for this information. Keep an eye on the feeders and replace the solution when it becomes cloudy, and, most importantly, clean outdoor feeders when needed.
DOG TAG
Dear Readers: Some time ago, a dear reader sent me a dog tag for our previous miniature schnauzer, Savvi, who had diabetes. The tag was etched "insulin-diabetic" with her name and mine, and contact information. I thought it was a great idea and a very kind gesture. It gave me peace of mind to know that if Savvi was lost or hurt, the person who found her would know that she has special needs.
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Audrey Hewett of Sidney, Maine, sent a photo of her granddaughter's cat, Copper, praying for a treat! She says, "He looks like he is praying, but actually he stands on his back paws and moves his front paws up and down as though he is catching something."
If your newspaper doesn't print the pet photo, go to www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see the photo of Copper.
GREAT PET BEDS
Dear Heloise: At the end of the life of a patio-chair cushion, I normally buy a new one and throw out the old one. I've found a new use for the old, faded chaise cushion that I hate to throw away! I simply cut any ties off of the cushions and use them as outdoor pet beds for my two chocolate Labs. My dogs love them! They're great because they are made of outdoor fabric and can get wet, but most still have a lot of loft in them. I can then take these "beds" with us on our family RV trips. The dogs still respond to their "bed" command, and they feel at home and not as displaced on vacation! Don't forget the savings to the pocketbook on outdoor doggie beds!
(c)2007 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
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