Popcorn Sutton was a short, squirrelly dude with a trashy mouth, and I can’t help but be fascinated by his persona. READER BEWARE: Popcorn had a smart mouth and made some lewd signs depicted in the photos that he sent to me. He was born Marvin Sutton; folks knew him as Popcorn. The story is… Click to see photos and story of Popcorn Sutton – BEWARE – some are lewd.
Chloe Tuttle
These tiny bottles of Peppers and Vinegar are a must-have for any southern cooks to serve with greens like collards. They also make great gifts. Hot Pepper Vinegar This does not need to be refrigerated. 1 pound of small (hot red peppers-the peppers must fit into the mouths of the jars)1/2 gallon distilled (white 5%… Click to learn more about Chloe’s Hot Pepper Vinegar Recipe
I know you have seen them off in the distance – a bright splash of color on an old barn. These are “Barn Quilts” and they are a great tribute to our heritage and “the art of rural America.” They honor our long-gone quilters, like my mother Chloe. Quilt trails are popping up everywhere the… Click to see all the Barn Quilts in and around Williamston, NC
Griffin’s Quick Lunch is an Eastern North Carolina Icon – Sadly Griffin’s has closed…An Icon since the 40’s, it is gone. Griffin’s Quick Lunch, just like many Mom and Pop diners in eastern North Carolina, is a landmark. Unfortunately, we are losing many of these cafes; Williamston is lucky to still have Griffin’s. If… Click to see specialties of the house at Griffin’s Quick Lunch…
Biscotti is perfect for those who don’t want a super sweet confection. I like to bundle up a few Biscotti, tie them up with a festive ribbon, and take as a house gift or as my donation to the the Christmas party. Cranberry Almond Biscotti The biscotti will keep for several weeks if stored in… Click to read Chloe’s clever serving suggestions…
Picking peanuts reminds me of growing up in eastern North Carolina. My nephew Barney and I loved to play hide-and-seek in the peanut fields. Back then, the peanuts were dug and stacked on poles to dry. There is a certain earthy smell that is everywhere. We loved to hide behind these stacks and to climb… Click to see video of Peanuts being Picked
Young, just-dug peanuts are called green peanuts. Here in the South, we boil these peanuts in the shell with a lot of salt. In late August or early September, you can find these green or boiled peanuts at farm stands and some grocery stores like Piggly Wiggly. As the Georgia bumper sticker says, “It is… Click to learn more about Boiled Peanuts
Calling all watermelon lovers!! This Watermelon Salad is a beauty. I adapted this recipe from one in the June, 2017 issue of “Our State Magazine,” the same magazine that did a wonderful story about Big Mill in their August issue. Summer Watermelon Salad 6 cups seedless watermelon (cut into cubes)1 sweet yellow bell pepper cut… Click here to read more …
I heard about this new gardening idea – it is called the Rain Gutter Grow System (RGGS). Being a real southern farm girl, I love farming and gardening. Once I read about this innovative growing system, I couldn’t wait to start. Basically the Rain Gutter Grow System is a self-watering container gardening system “on steroids.” … To see Chloe’s Rain Gutter Garden click here:
Folks in eastern North Carolina love Purple Martins and I am one of those folks. My dad taught me to treasure these special birds. Every spring he watched for his Martins to return. And now I do the same thing. In March, a Purple Martin scout would come and sit on the bird house –… Click to read more about these spectacular birds.
