1) Gather your materials and line your workspace with newspaper.

All kinds of animals enjoy garden produce. But if you're like me, you don't always want to share. To keep birds, rabbits, and squirrels from sneaking off with your food, create this fun garden project reminiscent of the orchard noisemaker in MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME. ​Bonus: It uses all recycled materials! (But it may take several days to complete, depending on dry times.)

3) Allow to dry; repeat for the opposite side.
4) Place your stick at the top of your workspace and lay out your objects as desired. (Tip: distribute weight evenly across the stick.) *see image 3 

6) Cut another length of fishing line 1 1/2 times the length of your stick. Tie each end of your line to opposite ends of the stick to form a hanger. (Tip: the wrap-and-tie method provides extra strength.) *see image 6
7) Starting with the two outside columns, tie the lines to the stick at roughly the same distance. This is the part that requires a bit of science. You want to distribute the weight as evenly as possible.

​(Tip: it helps to hang the stick up, or have someone hold it, while you tie.) *see image 7
8) Continue tying columns of objects to the stick, 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart. (Tip: work from the outside-in to maintain balance.)
9) Hang your completed project outside and enjoy!

​My newest book, MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME, is a lyrical look at the growth and harvest cycle of pecan trees as told through the relational lens of a grandfather and child.

It highlights each season of the year,  and is a great read a-loud for learning about gardening practices and where our food comes from.

To extend the fun, you can make this simple seasonal tree using materials you probably have on hand.

1) Divide both paper plates into four equal sections and mark the middle. On one plate, you may want to label the seasons for future reference. (See image 1)
​2) Choose one plate and draw the tree's trunk. (Hint: Place your drawing in the middle of a "pie piece." See image 2) Color it with the brown marker, and cut out the triangle at the top of your trunk. (See image 3)

3) On the other plate, use your brown marker to draw branches in each section of the pie as if they were naturally extending from the trunk. (See images 4-5)
4) On both plates, erase any extra pencil lines.
​Hint: For very young children, all this should be done ahead of time.

Each child will need a cluster of 4-5 cotton swabs and access to paint. (HInt: A paper plate makes a great paint palate. See image 6. For very young children, instead of labeling each season of branches, you can mark each section with its corresponding leaf color.)
​5) On your branch plate, find the section for spring. Dip the cotton swab cluster into light green paint and lightly sponge it over the branches. (See image 7)

7) Before painting the winter section, flip your cotton swab cluster to the clean end and dip into a light blue paint. Allow each section to dry. (See image 8)

8) Once dry, stack both plates together with the colored branches on the bottom. Using the sharp end of a compass or pair of scissors, poke a hole through the center of both plates. Attach with a brad. (See images 9-10)

9) Spin to show off each season in its colorful glory!