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

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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!

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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.

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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

When I worked at our local hospital, I had a dear friend Nurse Nancy, who lived on the Pamlico River. Whenever a hurricane threatened Eastern North Carolina, she packed up and came to stay with me. And every time, without fail, we made her legendary chili. The secret ingredient that made it unforgettable was a splash of tequila.

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Best Hurricane Chili

This comforting chili seems to please everyone. It has the right amount of kick and flavor.

Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Mexican

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Servings 10

Author Chloe Tuttle

Equipment

• 1 large cooking pot

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds ground beef
• 1 large green pepper chopped into pieces
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 28-ounce cans tomatoes
• 2 10-ounce Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies medium heat
• 3 15.5-ounce cans dark red kidney beans drained
• 1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans drained
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1-1 1/2 Tablespoon chili pepper or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 2-3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Tequila
• 1 8.5-ounce can corn optional
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded for garnish
• sour cream garnish, optional
• diced onion garnish, optional

Instructions

• Cook ground beef, bell pepper and onion in a large pot. Pour off fat and drippings into a Pyrex dish. I usually put the grease in refrigerator until the grease rises to the top. Skim off fat and add the remaining drippings to the chili pot.
• Add the two cans of whole tomatoes with juice. Cut whole tomatoes in half with kitchen scissors. Add the Rotel diced tomatoes with green peppers and juice.
• Add the beans.
• Add the salt, chili pepper, ground peppers, lime juice, and tequila.
• Cook for an hour on fairly low temperature.
• To serve, garnish with corn, cheese, sour cream and diced onion. Bon appetit!

Nurse Nancy and I had many fun times on the river. We never knew that looking back we would be so wistful. We had no fear. Often, we took off in her 16-foot open day sailor and sailed all the way to the Pamlico Sound. Darkness fell and, whew, finding our way home was interesting! We always made it and never doubted ourselves.

Before we came to Big Mill B&B for refuge, we readied her cottage for the onslaught of wind and water. An old-timer told us to remove every third board on her pier so that the water could escape and not take the pier with it. That year Nancy’s pier was the only one to remain intact for about a mile along the river.

For another hurricane, we made Hurricane Hannah Pear Preserves. My pear tree dumped bushels of pears during that storm.

I hope you enjoy this chili as much as we did.

Big Mill B&B Extended Stay in Williamston, NC 252-799-8787, We cater to guests who are in our area for contract works like traveling nurses, docs, business professionals. We have 5 suites, 3 RV slots, and an Airstream.

If you’re a traveling nurse, a contractor on assignment, or simply someone planning to stay a while in eastern NC, Big Mill offers comfortable, fully furnished long?term rentals right here on the property.

Book your stay, pull up a chair, and make yourself at home.

When it snows in eastern North Carolina, we absolutely fall to pieces. The moment the weather man whispers the word “snow,” folks rush out and clear every shelf of the grocery stores of milk and white bread. Me? I stock up on heavy cream, popcorn, and artichoke hearts. Then we settle in, cozy up, and wait for that rare, beautiful snowfall. Schools close, cameras come out, and suddenly everything looks worthy of a photo. And of course, we do the one thing that’s uniquely ours: we make snow cream.

I’m not sure how far north snow cream is made, but I do know you won’t find it anywhere past Virginia. Maybe it really is a true North Carolina treat. When I was growing up, we could hardly wait for snow; and most years we had to wait, because those rare winter storms didn’t come often.

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Snow Cream

The kids will love making snow cream from new fallen snow.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword almond biscotti, snow cream, snow cream ice cream

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 3 servings

Calories 429kcal

Author Chloe Tuttle

Ingredients

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup cream
• 4 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg optional
• 1 bowl of light clean snow (6-8 cups)

Instructions

• Cream together the cream, sugar and vanilla. Some folks add the egg, but I don't. Using a flexible utensil like a spatula, add the snow a little at a time to the cream mixture until it is the consistency of creamy ice cream.
• You will have about 3 servings and you must eat it immediately because it melts fast! Oh, what a treat. (In a pinch you can use sweetened condensed milk in place of the cream and sugar. We always kept a can around just in case it snowed).
• If you are caught unprepared, you can use tinned Eagle Brand Sweetened Milk. it is quite tasty.

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 95mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1535IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 0.3mg

At Big Mill Bed and Breakfast when it snows, we feed the birds, make snow cream, take photos of everything and play in the snow.

Sledding at Big Mill in the fifties

Above: a photo at Big Mill from years ago of Chloe Ann (left), that’s me and Chloe, Sr. on the right – my mother. Same yard, same outbuildings. We thought this was a big hill. Santa brought Nephew Barney and me these strange things called snowflakes. They were round, fast and steering them was impossible. But they were fun.

Be sure to check the December 2012 story by Scott Simon of Weekend Edition from NPR about my snow cream. Now it is famous!

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