Archive for December, 2008

Christmas at the Inn

Dec 20th 2008ChloeFrom the Innkeeper & Fur Person's Posts & On the Farm

It’s Christmas here at my favorite Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina … I am the resident fur person and that is my opinion.

Christmas in the Pack House Suite at Big Mill B&B in Eastern North Carolina

You know I have been around a lot, being a cat and all that.  So when I picked Chloe’s B&B, it was after much thought and I love it here. I even really like Chloe.

That is except when she gives me a bath and when she makes me dress up and pose for a photo. I knew this was coming, but she sneaked up on me. Hope you like me in my Santa outfit. Harrumph.  

Fur Person at Big Mill Bed & Breakfast

She tried to get me to wear a beard, but I flatly refused. I am a lady – what was Chloe thinking?  Thankfully, it was only a Santa hat.

Life on the farm is always special, but at Christmas, it is magical. We never really finish decorating but we have such fun doing it. Chloe says I am a big help, Well, I try. 

(Below: Chloe made the wreath on the Pack House from our grapevine prunings.)

North Carolina Bed and Breakfast Christmas getaway by moonlight

Chloe and I both want to let all our friends and guests know how much we care about them. This has been a wonderful year here at Big Mill Bed and Breakfast and we have met the very best folks.  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings and we hope to see all of you soon.

Christmas on the farm in North Carolina

 

 

And Happy New year from both of us.

 

          Big Mill Bed & Breakfast cat Fur Person Moses at Big Mill B&B 

Innkeeper at the North Carolina Inn

 

Click to read comment »

Light up with Wine Bottles

Dec 1st 2008ChloeCrafts and Artsy stuff & Green-Friendly Tips

It’s magic — those tiny lights that twinkle in the wine bottles in the rooms at our own North Carolina Bed and Breakfast, Big Mill Inn-the perfect romantic getaway.

Lights twinkle in the rooms at the eastern North Carolina Bed & Breakfast accomodation, Big Mill Inn

The idea is really simple: just drill a hole in a glass bottle and push the lights in. Guests ask me all the time, "How do you do it?"  Now is the perfect time to learn and these glowing wine bottles make great gifts.

First you need an empty bottle; wine bottles are good because they are free. The best ones are light green, usually Chardonnay, or blue, usually Riesling, but not always. The dark green bottles used for red wines like Merlot just don’t illuminate well.

Eastern North Carolina B&B recycles wine bottles

You can either drink the wine or beg your friends to give you their empties. I have been saving wine bottles for years and now I have quite a stash.

Supplies and Equipment you will need:

  • Light green or blue wine bottle
  • 1/2-inch ceramic tile drill bit (each bit will drill 6-8 bottles)
  • Small piece of masking tape
  • Electric drill (battery ones just can’t cut it)
  • 20-count tiny Christmas light set. You need the kind that has a plug on one end only, not the end-to-end kind. The best time to buy these is at Christmas, they are difficult to find otherwise. It is a good idea to wear glasses or protective goggles. Gloves are also a good idea. Some of the bottles will break.

    Bed and Breakfast near Greenville NC uses ceramic bit to create romantic lighting

    Place a small piece of masking tape on the back of the bottle about 3 inches up from the bottom. Start drilling; don’t use too much pressure, the bottle might break. The tape is to keep the drill bit from jumping around when you first get started.

    Be VERY careful; this is a slow process and is not to be attempted by impatient folks.

    Drill until the bit goes all the way through the glass. There will be glass dust in the bottle so you will have to rinse this out.  Allow bottle to dry.

    Romantic B&B getaway at Big Mill Inn in Eastern North Carolina

    Push each light into the hole that you have just drilled. This can be tedious and is not for the fainthearted. After all 20 are inside you are finished. Voila, it is gorgeous and magic!

    Some folks decorate the bottles with all kinds of sequins, glitter and bottle covers. I don’t add anything because I like to see the wine labels.

    We have these pretty wine bottles everywhere here at Big Mill B&B.  Everyone loves them and the price is certainly right. Oops, forgot to tell you that the ceramic drill bits cost about $16 each.

     What a fun way to recycle!  

    • Click to read comments »