Adding resources

Hello,
How can I load resources (.rc files), which I create using notpad, into my VC++ win32 application project. VC++ does not accept .rc file format, in its import resources menu. And when I manually add the .rc to resource files folder (using :add files to this folder), I get the unexpected end of file error in my resource.h file(and I know there is nothing wrong in my header file, just a few lines of #define).
Perhaps there is something missing? Any tips on adding resources to a VC++ api project?
I understand it is easier to create resources within the VC++ native editors but for educational purposes I prefer to do it with the good old notpad.

Thanks In Advance
Nima