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… Read more
From the Innkeeper
In another life, I had sheep in my yard. Remember the sixties? I didn’t have a lawn mower and I really did believe that the sheep would groom my yard. I needed the fleeces – I was working on my master’s degree in fibers – spinning and natural dyeing. I lived on the south side… Read more
Politics resurrect memories. There was another election: Richard Nixon in the 60s. Back then, I had decided that if Nixon was re-elected, I was moving to Africa. Remember, this was the sixties. I can’t remember where in Africa — either Ivory Coast or Liberia. Made sense to me at the time. T.S. Applegate, physics professor… Read more
“Miss Sadie” James ran the Big Mill gristmill for as long as I can remember. In the 1940’s prior to when she and her husband, Columbus, bought it, it had been a water-powered sawmill. It was converted to a grist mill, the stones to grind the corn were shipped over from England. Sometime later in… Read more
These wonderful fried peach pies used to be served in every southern kitchen. I remember eating fried peach jacks whenever I went to Dinner on the Ground at a small country church in eastern North Carolina. Dinner on the Ground all over the south celebrated the end of revival – they called it Homecoming. Like… Click to learn how to make these Southern Peach Jacks
It’s Christmas on the farm at Big Mill Bed & Breakfast and what a pretty time to be in the country. (Photo of Emily & Claire Fowler and Viola Music Video by Guy Livesay of Livesay Photography) We have lighted trees, even under the grapevine. Guests can see a tree from every room. This year… Read more
Getting married on the farm, surrounded by nature has a calming effect. What a great way to start your new life together, away from the crowd. I have friends who love their motorcycles, old trucks and all their grown-up “toys.” So why not be married beside your Harley or in your vintage Corvette? Big weddings… Read more
Big Mill B&B has been chosen Inn of the Year by North Carolina Bed & Breakfast and Inns. We are waving flags and tooting horns. This is a great honor – we are thrilled. At the celebration dinner at King’s Daughter Inn our outgoing president Frank Salvo of White Gate Inn (in Asheville), standing in for… Read more
If you venture to Southern Pines, NC on Thanksgiving Day, and stand with horses and hounds on Hobby Field, you will hear the Episcopal priest begin his blessing: “Bless, O Lord, we beseech You, rider and horse and hound. Shield the rider from danger to life and limb, and may the chase bring to him… Read more
Well, we did it….Big Mill is now on Facebook! For oh so long, I have resisted — but now that we are on Facebook, it is quite fun. We do hope you will “LIKE US” over on Facebook. And while you’re there, be sure to write on our wall to keep the conversation going. We’ll be keeping you up to date on local… Read more
