Paintbrush cookies

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Mix flour, baking powder and salt.
Stir together and chill 1 hour.
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Roll out 1/8 inch thick.
Cut in desired shapes.
Place on ungreased baking sheets.
Paint with egg yolk paint.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes.

EGG YOLK PAINT:
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp. water

Divide mixture and add food coloring.
Paint designs on cookies with paint brush.
If paint thickens, add few drops of water.

Suet Seed Cakes for Bird Feeding

2 lbs. beef suet
1/2 lb. sunflower seeds
1 c. millet
1 c. cracked corn
1 c. crushed peanuts (ground)

Grind suet.
Place in large pot and cook slowly over low heat until smoothly melted.
Let cool to a semi liquid state.
Stir in nuts.
Spread into shallow rectangle foil molds.
If using paper cups tie string to pencil and place other end in mixture to harden.
This will then enable it to be hung from a tree, or place molded mixture into a netting, like a suet bag when cakes are solid only.
Needs no refrigeration.
Keeps well in a dark, cool place, such as a corner of the cellar.

Finger Paint

1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin (1 env.)
Cold water
1/2 c. cornstarch
4 tbsp. dishwashing liquid
Food coloring

Stir gelatin into 1/3 cup cold water.
Set aside.
In a saucepan stir cornstarch into 2 1/2 cups cold water until dissolve.
Bring to a simmer and stir until fully thickened.
Remove from heat and blend in gelatin mixture.
Add dishwashing liquid.
Cool and add food coloring as desired.
Store in Tupperware
at room temperature.

Peanut butter playdough

18 oz. peanut butter
6 tbsp. honey
Nonfat dry milk

Mix ingredients with enough nonfat dry milk to form into a workable dough.
Can be decorated with raisins and then eaten!

Cookie Dough Ornaments

1 c. salt
2 c. flour
1 c. water

Mix together salt and flour and add water a little at a time.
Knead dough 7 to 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and then use cookie cutters.
Put hole for hanging in top of shape.
To attach small buttons, smooth on a little water, then put on.
Bake at 325 degrees until light brown (about 1/2 hour).
First color with bright magic markers when cool and then varnish (can use spray varnish).

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