JNVCC Christmas Luncheon at Cedar Gap Farms

We surely do thank our outgoing officers of 2008!

Amidst the twittering of hundreds of finches, redbirds and jays, Earlene Hutto welcomed us to her National Audubon Bird sanctuary in Cedar Gap.

(oh yes... there were a couple of rascally squirrels causing a bit of a raucous outside the windows as we enjoyed our luncheon)
We attended to the end of the year business which included accepting our new board and officers for 2009. Thank you Dale for remaining another year in our presidential position.
You've done an exceptional job!
We will miss Amy as our treasurer, but hopefully we can get her to return after a sabbatical from at least this one of her many responsibilities in our community. GREAT JOB!!!

The surroundings were perfect and we got to see what one of our members offers this community daily in her haven for birds just East of 83/84 after the Cedar Gap Cemetery.
If you've not visited the Cedar Gap Farms, be sure to take your family out for an afternoon of bird watching. Chairs are set around the completely windowed cottage so that you can see birds of every color from any angle. I also noticed that there were binoculars available for those who forgot that important accoutrement in the birding world.

Fall/Winter is a wonderful time for our fine feathered friends. The leaves from the trees have fallen and their food supplies are not so readily available. This lends itself perfectly for the feeders and bird baths to be loaded with these thankful creatures.

Yes Earlene.... I do think today was a success, thank you for offering and hosting the JNVCC.

...your little tin sign says just what my heart repeats often this special time of year...

Peace On Earth...

and might I add....

GOOD WILL TO MEN!

Cedar Gap Farm's "secret" recipe to attract birds!! even the elusive PAINTED BUNTING!!!!

We have a VERY successful birding facility here in our Jim Ned Valley!!!

Cedar Gap Farm is on the birding trails of Texas and recognized by the Audubon Society for it's location and it's ability to meet the needs of our local finely feathered friends!

Earlene has evidence of it's success in the picture below.

Yes, they have frequent sightings of the elusive Painted Bunting and his more modestly adorned green feathered female.

Take time out of your busy schedule to enjoy a moment with the Huttos at this blessed place right here in our special part of the world....

They are a bit off the beaten trail (or off Hwy 83/84 to be more exact), but highly worth the effort made to get there.

(After some not too difficult coaxing, my friend and fellow Chamber member gave me her special "secret" recipe to attract these pretty visitors to my neck of the woods..... I thought you might be interested as well......as Earlene suggests.... ENJOY)

Suet Recipe:

Melt together 1 cup crunchy peanut butter and 1 cup lard.

Stir in 2 cups one minute oatmeal,

2 cup yellow corn meal, (corrected from 1c.. too thin!!)

1 cup flour,

1/2 cup sugar.

You can put it in a plastic contain or in whatever you want to store it. I sometimes put it in cup cake papers in cupcake pan and place in freezer, then lift out one and serve to the birds.

You can serve it in small containers, on the limb of a tree, at the edge of a feeder, etc.

The birds will get used to how you serve it and be looking for it.

Have fun!!

Thanks,Earlene

Cedar Gap Farm