Chloe Tuttle

The mystery – What happened to the Lost Colony? Are they in Manteo or maybe still in eastern North Carolina? In 1587, a colony of 120 souls established the first English Colony in this new world on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Three years later when John White returned from England with supplies, the colony had… Read more

Do you need an easy punch recipe for that special summer party? This great-tasting party punch is quick and easy to make and pretty – and you can do most of the prep ahead of time. Here is the recipe. Citrus Party Punch Citrus punch is a crowd pleaser and easy to make ahead. 6… Read more

Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park is a fascinating world of birds There are more than two thousand birds from six continents in Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park located in Scotland Neck in eastern North Carolina. It is truly a bird watcher’s paradise!  In fact, it features the largest collection of waterfowl in the world.  Founder Mike Lubbock… Read more

Does washing berries in a vinegar wash keep them fresh longer? Everyone has an opinion. I think you should at least give it a try, then decide. I know the vinegar wash works for me, but then I think white vinegar is “gold.” We use it here at Big Mill B&B for an eco-friendly cleaning… Read more

In spring we celebrate the beautiful Sage plant. Bertie County and the surrounding counties in eastern North Carolina grow 15,000 acres of Clary Sage. This sage is in the Salvia family; I remember my mother calling the red salvia that is so popular “scarlet sage.” Clary Sage is a beautiful plant that grows upright and… Click to learn more about growning and using Clary Sage

Little Raisin Fur Person came to live at Big Mill in November of 2012. I have wanted to write about her for a long time, but she has been in motion – I couln’t get a picture of her. I finally have a photo, but only one. Meet Raisin: When I was little, my sister… Read more

Innkeeper’s Suet Recipe Our special Earth Day gift to birds here at Big Mill Bird & Breakfast Earth Day  is just around the corner, so it seemed like a perfect time to celebrate the birds we love with a suet recipe they delight in eating. When I am cooking for the bed and breakfast guests… Click here for Suet Recipe for the BIrds

The mighty Roanoke River is heaven for the Rock Fish Fisherman Check for dates for when the Roanoke River basin is open for Rock Fish fishing or Stripers with some rules, of course. The minimum limit is 18 inches and only one river bass above 27 inches can be kept, in the creel, as they… Click to get Rock Fish Stew Recipe

When I was growing up we always had a winter garden of all kinds of greens and root vegetables, including turnips and rutabagas. In cold weather my mother would make rutabaga rice soup that I now associate with life on the farm, warm fires and being happy. Other than my family members, no one I… Rutabagas make a great Rice soup – recipe below