Bears in North Carolina are usually black with a cinnamon color muzzle

Increasingly, we are seeing bears here in eastern North Carolina. They are mostly in the coastal regions – bears love our coastal Pocosin habitat.

In one of the articles I read, eastern North Carolina was said to have the highest Black Bear population of all the states. There are over 8,000 black bears in the Albemarle region, the largest concentration in North Carolina.

All 100 counties in North Carolina have reported black bear sightings. A 500-pound bear is not at all uncommon and bear biologist, Colleen Olfenbuttel, confirmed that they are seeing “an increased frequency of 700+ pound bears.” All 100 counties in North Carolina have reported black bear sightings.

Bears come in all sizes – remember Mama isn’t far away

When I was a child we had two gardens: one near the house and one early garden down near the woods. Every year, we saw bear tracks in the early garden. My mother told me that they were moving from the Pocosin (upland swamp) to another habitat. In the fall, the tracks went back the other way.

The small Inner Banks town of Plymouth, NC (located on the way to the Outer Banks) has a Black Bear Festival every June. In June the farmers harvest the winter wheat and the bears come out to forage. Bears also like acorns, frogs, fruit, fish, peanuts, seeds and even small mammals. I love that this bear is so trendy eating the dandelions!

This Black Bear is so trendy in his diet of dandelions

Have you seen a bear? If you want to see one, then be sure to pop in at the North Carolina Black Bear Festival in Plymouth, NC, June 5 & 6, 2026.

There will be skydiving bears, biplane rides, pontoon boat rides, Bandits flight formation team, classic air show and more.

Information for the festival tours can be found on the festival website.

The festival promises “relentless food” and great music – something for everyone. Don’t wait too late to book your place and pontoon rides and flight rides!

Hover over Photo to PIN FOR LATER

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

North Carolina Black Bear Festival
Plymouth, NC
June 5 & 6, 2026
Telephone: 252-799-9099
Washington County Travel & Tourism

DISTANCES:

20 miles east of BIG MILL B&B Extended Stay
124 miles east of Raleigh, NC
94 miles south of Norfolk, VA
48 miles east of Greenville, NC

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay
Williamston, NC 27892
Telephone: 252-799-8787

]]> https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/black-bear-festival-plymouth-nc/feed/ 0 https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/berry-pickin-time/ https://chloesblog.bigmill.com/berry-pickin-time/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:30:28 +0000 http://chloesblog.bigmill.com/?p=657 Strawberry Picking Time

Strawberry picking is a spring tradition in eastern North Carolina. Guests at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay have several great options nearby. For pick-your-own strawberries, visit Griffin’s Farm Market on US 17 in Washington, NC – about 15 miles south of Big Mill – or SouthSide Farms in Chocowinity, roughly 25 miles away.

If you prefer fresh, already picked berries, Ross Farms, 1536 Garrett Road , Williamston, NC, is just 3 miles from Big Mill and offers beautiful, ready to enjoy strawberries.

Discover the best strawberry You-Pick experience while you are here. Pick, weigh, and take home gallons of ripe berries. Then the fun begins? Will it be Strawberry Jam or Strawberry Bread or maybe a great smoothie?

Every year, I try to make sure each of my guests gets a taste of fresh North Carolina strawberries – they’re one of the sweetest parts of spring here on the farm. Strawberry picking is a beloved spring tradition and I, as innkeeper, feel obliged to make sure everyone tastes fresh NC Strawberries.

Folks say berries from different fields have different flavors, and I believe them.

I love making strawberry jam for our Big Mill B&B guests. Don’t think I’m bragging, but my jam is an award-winning Strawberry Jam!  It won best-of-show at our Farm Heritage Fair. And it surely does taste good.

When I was growing up, we would pick the berries, make jam and, on the very same night we ate homemade biscuits with jam and homemade butter. My biscuits aren’t nearly as good as my mother’s were, so I have to buy the frozen ones, but they’re still good.

Growing your own food and buying local is more than a trend in eastern North Carolina – it’s a way of life, and a good one. All around us you’ll find farmer’s markets, roadside vegetable stands, and local folks selling fresh produce straight from their fields. We even have vendors who sell collards right out of the back of a pickup truck. Supporting them keeps our community strong.

Plan to Visit:

• Griffin Farms in Washington, NC 252-721-8277
• Southside Farms in Chocowinity, NC 252-946-2487
• or if you want the berries picked for you, then try Ross Farms in Williamston, NC 252-792-8829 or J&J Farms in Jamesville, NC 252-799-8110

Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay – Peaceful Lodging for Traveling Nurses & Professionals 252-799-8787

Settle into a quiet, fully furnished space at Big Mill Extended Stay in Eastern North Carolina. Our rentals are perfect for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests who need a comfortable home base during long assignments. Enjoy privacy, farm views, and the welcoming charm Big Mill is known for. Three RV rental spaces are also available for extended stays.

While waiting for spring to arrive, I decided to write a cookbook –The Country Cats Cookbook in honor of my special kitties. What follows will be my signature recipe. Hope you like it … I do. APRIL FOOL!!!!

Moses was a Special Cat

Print

Mouse Biscotti - April Fool Spoof

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Biscotti

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 36 biscotti

Calories 95kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 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 - well, not exactly!!!!!

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease a heavy cookie sheet. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder in a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Add flavorings: mouse extract.
• 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. 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.

Notes

Biscotti will keep for several weeks in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 59mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Bon appetite!
Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay   252-799-8787

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

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

PEEPS come in all sizes but they taste the same as always

… and we eat more than our share – we will eat 600 million PEEPS this Easter. (I call them all PEEPS, even if they are bunnies.)

PEEPS marshmallow candy – those bright-colored chicks and bunnies that we see at Easter have a long history. In 1953, it took 27 hours to make one Peep. Now the factory in Bethlehem, PA makes a billion a year. The first PEEPS were squeezed out of a pasty tube and the eyes were painted on by hand. Each PEEP is a character – as they settle the nose and eyes rearrange and they get a personality.

The Washington Post has an annual PEEPS Diorama contest. One year they discontinued it but caught a lot of flack. Now the diorama back. I’m telling you, PEEPS’ mania is real, it’s fun and I am joining.

Some years ago, National Geographic did PEEPS in Places. There were PEEPS in Las Vegas, on the beach, in a subway, at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay.

Did you know that PEEPS go with fine wine?

Ever wonder what wine to serve with PEEPS? Someone has already done the wine pairing for PEEPS and the suggestions are Riesling or Chardonnay.

You can create your own Peeps character – pick a color, outfit, give him a name and POOF he will jump on Facebook if you want him too. I am telling you, folks really get in to their Peeps.

Can you believe folks cook with PEEPS? There are many PEEPS recipes out there, much to my surprise. So I tried one.

Peeps just make Rice Krispies treats better!

Print

Rice Krispie Treats with PEEPS

Everyone loves Peeps - why not add them to the classic rice krispie?

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Peeps rice krispie treats, Peeps rice krispie treats recipe, rice krispie treats with Peeps

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Freeze 8 hours hours

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12 bars

Calories 191kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 10  oz. pkg. Marshmallows about 40 or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 12 PEEPS
• 1 Tablespoon marshmallow cream for glue Optional

Instructions

• Freeze PEEPS overnight.
• Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan or dish and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt 3 Tablespoons butter over low heat. In a small pan melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter (this is your glue) or you can use Marshmallow cream.
• Add marshmallows to the large pan and stir until melted. Add Rice Krispies and stir until coated. Remove from heat. Using a greased spatula, press the marshmallow - Rice Krispie mixture into the greased pan. It is really sticky!
• Press the frozen PEEPS on top, spacing each PEEP about 1 1/2" apart. Allow to cool and cut into 12 squares with PEEPS in the middle. Best served the same day.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 17mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 1050IU | Vitamin C: 8.8mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 4.3mg

I believe the old adage As American as Apple Pie, should be As American as Marshmallow PEEPS. A word to the wise: Don’t mess with PEEPS fans.

…from Innkeeper at Big Mill Bed and Breakfast Extended Stay 252-799-8787

2026 is the 47th year that the folks of Piney Grove Baptist Church in the Farm Life Community near Williamston, NC, have been performing this 90-minute outdoor drama of the life and death of Jesus Christ.

North Carolina loves its outdoor dramas. Every year, our hometown folks pour their time and talent into this production that feels every bit as grand as a big city show, sharing a powerful story with all who come to listen.

In its first few years, The Message of Easter was performed on the lawn. Now visitors enjoy the performances in a large outdoor theater that seats 3,000 folks with special lighting, surround sound, and ample parking. And all this is offered at no charge.

Big buses often roll in, and on some nights the crowd reaches into the thousands. If you go, remember the bleachers are hard, and they can get chilly as the night wears on. Take a cushion, a blanket, and a flashlight never hurts.

It is more than amazing what this small community has done – all hometown folks, and many of them are my cousins. “Pilot” was my first boyfriend – he was three and I was two. Billy’s wife Betty Jo says she is tired of hearing that story! (Sadly some of these folks are gone)

(A special thanks to Piney Grove Church for use of photographs)

For information call:  252-792-1342

The Message of Easter drama is just a few miles from Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay 252-799-8787. At this time, we are only taking Extended Stay rentals.

PERFORMANCE DATES in 2026:  This year’s 2026 drama is the 47th year.

Spanish Performance is March 27 , beginning at 8 p.m. 

English performances:  March 28, 29 and April 2, 3, 4, 5 at 8 p.m.  For information about the Message of Easter call 252-792-1342. Remember, spring can be chilly. If our Big Mill B&B Extended Stay guests attend the Easter drama, we send them off with cushions and blankets.

DISTANCES FROM:
110 miles of Raleigh, NC
114 miles south of Norfolk, VA
54 miles north of New Bern, NC
39 miles east of Greenville, NC
8 miles south of Big Mill Bed &Breakfast in Williamston, NC 252-792-8787

Easy-to-Make Sausage Gravy

We raised enough hogs to keep five families fed for a whole year. There were pork chops, corned backbone (cured in salt), bacon, lard, fatback, ribs, plenty of good sausage, chitlins and cracklins’ – and yes, we really do say it just like that. And we can’t forget the chitterlings (pronounced chitlins). The Smoke House was always full, with hams, shoulders, and links of sausage hanging high to cure. I still have that wonderful old Smoke House here on the farm. And while Sausage Gravy tastes especially good on a cold morning, we serve it all year long because it’s true comfort food.

Print

Sausage Gravy

Sausage Gravy on a Biscuit - Southern Comfort Food

Course Breakfast, Dinner

Cuisine Southern American

Keyword Sausage gravy, southern comfort food

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 692kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

• 1 pound hot sausage Mild is fine too
• 1/4 pound butter 1 stick
• 2 T all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 T lard
• 1-2 T red wine optional
• Dash Kitchen Bouquet or strong coffee Optional
• Dash crushed red pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook sausage in large frying pan. When browned, remove cooked sausage, leaving the drippings in the pan.
• Add the butter and melt. Slowly whisk in the flour, making a roux.
• Add the milk slowly, stirring constantly. Add the lard, wine, and stir. Cook for several minutes on low heat until milk is heated.
  
• Return the sausage to the pan and cook a few minutes over low heat. Season with salt and pepper and add crushed red pepper to taste. Add the Kitchen Bouquet or coffee, if you want your gravy to be brown.
• Spoon sausage gravy over piping hot biscuits and serve.

Notes

The Tablespoon of lard is absolutely necessary!!

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 692kcal

Distances From: Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay

• Raleigh, NC  –  102 miles
• Greenville, NC  –  20 miles
• New Bern, NC  –  55 miles

Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina 252-792-8787

Looking for extended stay lodging in Eastern North Carolina? Big Mill Extended Stay offers quiet, fully furnished rentals ideal for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests relocating to the area. Our accommodations provide comfort, privacy, and Southern hospitality, perfect for short-term and long-term stays. We also have three RV rental spaces.

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Big Mill Bed & Breakfast, Williamston, NC 252-792-8787