Winter has been cold here in eastern North Carolina and I am ready to sit on the back steps and socialize with the guests here at Big Mill Bed and Breakfast. (This post is submitted by the Big Mill Fur Person – Moses)

While waiting for spring to arrive, I decided to write a cookbook -The Country Cats Cookbook.  What follows will be my signature recipe. Hope you like it … I do.

Mouse Biscotti with Almonds

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• zest of 1 lemon or lime
• 2 egg yolks (reserve egg whites in case the mixture is dry)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon MOUSE extract, found in specialty stores like Balduchi's gourmet foods or Zabar's Epicurean Emporium in New York
• 1 1/2 cups slivered or chopped almonds, (reserve 1/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease a heavy cookie sheet. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and lemon zest in a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk  the eggs and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Add flavorings: vanilla, almond, mouse extract and 1 1/4 cup of the nuts and the lemon zest.

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just barely blended. You will have to use your hands and perhaps a wee bit of the egg yolk. Add more flour if the mixture is too sticky.

Using greased hands, form dough into three 4-inch by 9-inch (or thereabouts) rolls that are 2 inches thick. Gently place the "rolls" on the cookie sheet, making sure they are several inches apart. Press reserved almonds and place on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until dough will hold together. Remove from oven and cool slightly. (Do not cool completely because you won't be able to cut it.) When cooled slightly, gently slide the rolls to a floured cutting board. Gently cut through each roll at an angle into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Turn each piece on its side and place on the cookie sheet.

Bake again for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

If you prefer a harder biscotti turn onto the other side and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more.

Biscotti will keep for several weeks in an airtight container.

Yield: 36 to 40 biscotti. These are great dunking into morning coffee or afternoon tea.   

Bone appetite!

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Well, it is April 1st and APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!!! 

For us humans, just omit the Mouse extract.  And, honestly, Moses really does like these biscotti. She has one each night with her spot of cream just before bedtime.

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

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.  

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.)

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.

And Happy New year from both of us.