November is often considered to be the āseason of gratitudeā- itās certainly the current theme in seemingly most of the email newsletters I get, as well as current family discussions about Thanksgiving .
I found myself meditating on the theme this weekend, and decided I wanted to do something small to give back to nature. The plan was to make an edible garland of cranberries and popcorn (a fond memory from my childhood), but unfortunately I couldnāt find fresh cranberries here in Poland- itās not a local crop
Just popcorn isnāt quite as nutritious as with fruit, but I made do with what I could find/what wasnāt too expensive. I was worried it would be really fragile, but it survived somehow!
And I put it out on the tree! After an hourās work, it looked like a lot on the ground- but wrapped around the little tree it turned out to not be very much at all
I donāt get to do much crafting these days (I donāt have much crafting stuff with me in the suitcase) so it was enjoyable and relaxing just to sit and string the popcorn. It also felt good to be doing something- even something so small!- as an offering
Hopefully the birds appreciate the gesture!
Have you done any fun crafts recently? Have you/are you planning anything for the season of gratitude?
Aww! I love your helper and you both did a good job on the garland! It looks great!
Here at the apartments there was problems with critters, bears, raccoons, and rats. So weāre not allowed to put out anything for the wildlife. Whomp-whomp. Guess Iāll just have to show Iām thankful for my food by eating it all up! LOL!
Thatās beautiful @BryWisteria! I was just reading something the other day about making garland for the wild life. I was thinking about drying some apples and grapes, now I am going to add some popcorn. Thanks for the idea!
This sounds like a simple thing to do with kiddos, too!
What do you use to string them up? Fishing line? Thread?
As for crafting, I think weāll be putting up our thankful tree soon. It goes on the wall and we write the names of people and things that weāre thankful for on little leaves and create a full tree!
That is such a great offering to the birds @BryWisteria! I love sitting and focusing on stringing popcorn, one.by.one and meditating as it comes together. It looks great on your tree and your helper did a great job too!
I love the idea of stringing popcorn for the birds @BryWisteria and the tree looks lovely. I have a tree in my front yard that would work. What a great helper you have.
I agree with you, @KasandraIt is the little things that bring the most happiness! Iāve always believed, The treasures (memories) in your heart are more important than āthings.ā
So much fun @BryWisteria ! Our family actuall Does something similar during advent. We string popcorn and cranberries and make ornaments out of stale bread that we flatten and cut out with cookie cutters, smear with peanut butter, and dip in bird seed. We also slice apples for our deer. We decorate one of our outside trees with everything and read Dream Snow by Eric Carleā¦ which is about the same thing. Bo know your birdie friends will love it!
@Amethyst Awww Iām happy you think so- thank you, Amethyst! And uh-oh, sounds like you have some very eager wild neighbors there And haha appreciating your food is a great way to express thanks- that sounds like a great plan!
@Ostara Thank you, Ostara! I think apples and grapes are great offerings- lots of nutrition for our wild friends in the cold months! Good luck with your crafting- I hope you have fun with it!
@MeganB Youāre right- it would be a great craft to do with kids! I remember we used to make them growing up, although I probably ate more than what went on the garland Yes, I used thread! Your thankful tree sounds lovely- what a great interactive decoration for the season!
@jan_TheGreenWitch I agree- it was a very meditative process stringing the popcorn, and the purring sleeping kitty took the relaxation level to the next step Thank you so much!
@Kasandra Beautifully said, Kasandra- agreed! Honestly, I think I may have enjoyed the crafting process more than the birds enjoyed the snack
@Marsha Hahaha thank you, Marsha! Iāll tell my helper you think so- Iām sure heād be flattered
@AileyGrey Gosh that sounds amazing, Ailey- adding in stale bread is a great idea, and a wonderful use for leftover bread- I love that! It sounds like you turn it into quite the tasty treat with the peanut butter and bird seed- Iām sure the birds in your neighborhood look forward to it every year!
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Have you/are you planning anything for the season of gratitude? 
What a great helper you have. 
And haha appreciating your food is a great way to express thanks- that sounds like a great plan! 
I think apples and grapes are great offerings- lots of nutrition for our wild friends in the cold months! Good luck with your crafting- I hope you have fun with it! 
Yes, I used thread! 
It sounds like you turn it into quite the tasty treat with the peanut butter and bird seed- Iām sure the birds in your neighborhood look forward to it every year!