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 and brother had already moved out. But they left stuff behind — my brother John left all his 78 rpm records, so I played them all. My favortie song was Brazen Little Raisin. (you need to listen to this fun song).

It seems that a little grape didn’t listen to his mama – he stayed in the sun too long and he became a raisin:

“way out in California where the sunbeams shine
a little grape was hanging on a big grape vine.
Mama Grape said, “Careful, don’t get too much sun,
’cause grapes turn in to raisins when they’re too well done.”

So all these years I have wanted a cat named Moses; that I have done. I wanted a cat named Sausage; that I have done. And now I have Raisin. She’s sweet, albeit strange and a bit shy.  She would love to meet you. There was also a record about a big baboon at the Animal Fair. I do NOT want a cat named Baboon – or, maybe I do?

Big Mill Bed and Breakfast  252-792-8787

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, I also make suet for our lovely feathered travelers. And this suet recipe is made from things that we all have in our larders, especially innkeepers. Recipe below is easy!  Click here for Suet Recipe for the BIrds

The mighty Roanoke River is heaven for the Rock Fish Fisherman

Rock fish – Striper in the Roanoke River – photo courtesy Capt. Mitchell Blake

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 say. Click to get Rock Fish Stew Recipe

Americans have a love affair with our marshmallow PEEPS

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. [continue reading…]

The Message of Easter – a free outdoor drama near Williamston, NC

2024 is the 45th 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.

We love outdoor dramas here in North Carolina.  These home town folks put on a big city drama. Every year they give their time and talents to bring this message to all who will listen. Click to read about the Message of Easter Outdoor Drama in easatern NC

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 know has ever heard of this soup. If you like rutabagas, give it a try. Even if you aren’t sure if you like rutabagas, give it a try. You might surprise yourself.  Recipe below is easy.  Rutabagas make a great Rice soup – recipe below

Bird lovers everywhere  join in the Great Backyard Bird Count

Photo by Guy Livesay

We love the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. It’s easy to participate and it helps the birds. You sign up on the website and agree to count birds for at least 15 minutes on at least one of the 4 days of the bird count, more if you want. Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to be an expert. Sign up is easy and free.

We have always had birds here at Big Mill B&B. When I was growing up, my father would tell me the name of each bird by the song it sang. Oh, how I wish I had that gift.  [continue reading…]

Remember the Mom and Pop restaurants that were in every town?

Well, we still have ’em here in eastern North Carolina. Take a ride with me to find the best local food east of Raleigh. I’m delighted to premiere the latest Big Mill B&B video:

We’ve featured the 10 “must see” spots for off-the-beaten path diners and dives throughout Eastern NC. We begin in Williamston and end up in Morehead City, stopping in some little towns that don’t even have a stoplight. Buckle up!  [continue reading…]

I love the pecan trees that my parents planted in 1922 –
and honey roasted pecans are just the best.

This year I picked up 6 bushels of pecans. Hurricane Sandy knocked them off the trees for me. I had the pecans cracked at Martin Supply and then I picked them out.  I usually sell some of my pecans, but this year I decided to keep them all for the Bed and Breakfast and friends.

These honey roasted nuts are crispy, sweet and a bit salty  – perfect for snacking and parties. And this recipe is so easy! [continue reading…]