Notes on the Pond: Dog Days of Summer

Notes from the Pond

We've hit the dog days of summer down here but there is NO way August could be as hot as July was. Day after day of almost 100 degrees with that sweltering- oops, I mean sultry- southerly breeze. But then Isaiais rolled around, skirted us to the west and so far has brought a little bit of relief from the heat. Both stores are open 7 days a week and are here to help our customers finish out their summer with as close to a normal OBX experience as possible. Thanks to all our loyal fans who have been in and out during this 'Covid summer'. We can't tell you how much we appreciate your support, your patronage and your masks.

We can't sell cute online,

but do we sell coffee!

We order our coffee on Monday from a small artisan roaster in Virginia. They roast the beans for our order on Tuesday and ship it on Wednesday. On Thursday, Elwood pulls up in his big brown truck and delivers the coffee to our door. That's why our coffee is so good at the Cottage- it's as fresh as it can possibly be. Get that same freshness at home! Our signature coffees are always available online (whole bean or ground) for 24/7 ordering and we ship direct within the 48 contigouos states. If you're still working from home, let a good cup of our coffee help you transition every morning from home space to work space. Going into the office? Skip the line and masked wait at you-know-where by brewing at home and taking it with you (hopefully in your favorite Duck's Cottage travel mug). We're here for you... and we believe you should have good coffee.

Order coffee

Summer Yummies

We've all been cooking A LOT more at home this summer and with this month bringing a bounty of good stuff to produce stands and farmer's markets everywhere, I thought it would be a great time to feature some of the new cookbooks customers are raving about!

I personally have five kinds of mayonnaise in my fridge and the biggest jar by far is the jar of Duke's. There is no other mayo in the South and if you've never tried Duke's, you have NO idea what you're missing. It is pretty much perfection- creamy texture, a light, bright flavor- its actually quite hard to put a finger on why no other mayo will do. (the other 4 in my house are a vegan, sunflower based mayo; perinaise- a spicy mayo; a squeeze bottle of Duke's as well, and when I can find it- lemonaise.)

Imagine the delight heard 'round the South then, when The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook came out earlier this summer. Not only did it feature 75 recipes featuring this perfect condiment, but it was done by Ashley Strickland Freeman who has made a name for herself in food writing. We can't keep this one in stock!

Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook

This next one was ordered by a customer with a second home here on the Outer Banks who was very, very loyal to us during the shutdown. The latest title she wanted (for her hubbie) was Matt Moore's new release Serial Griller.

This is a great collection of recipes, techniques and advice from Moore who says 'if there's food and flame, I'll grill it'. Apparently Kristine and her husband share the same penchant, the day after I delivered Serial Griller to her, she shared with me a picture of their 'first recipe' -Spatchcocked Chicken'- it looks delicious!

Serial Griller

Summer isn't over yet! Make the most of the season with this book straight outta America's Test Kitchens: the Complete Summer Cookbook. This is the book that will help you NOT spend time in a hot kitchen during the hottest days of the year with lots of make-ahead recipes, icebox desserts, dinner salads and more casual fare that makes the most of summer's bounty while giving you more time to enjoy... SUMMER! These 500 recipes will help you make the most of it!

Complete Summer Cookbook

Inspired by cuisine from the best surf spots and beaches around the globe, Surf-Side Eating will definitely inspire some great end-of-summer meals at your house! Lots of good recipes utilizing fresh fish (of course), tropical flavors, ripe produce and more. Grilled rum-infused pineapple anyone? Baha fish tacos? Noodle bowls, salads, dishes for grilling, enjoying al fresco and yes.. some drink recipes too! (caution: the accompanying photographs will have you ready to book a surf adventure!)

Surfside Eating

What I'm Reading...

It took me most of the summer to get to 28 Summers... but once I started it, it took very little summertime to finish! I had NO idea it was based on one of my all time favorite movies (Same Time Next Year) so it definitely struck a chord with me. Hilderbrand again uses Nantucket for a beautiful, enticing back-drop for the story of two people, Mallory & Jake, who find each other over and over throughout their lives. Early on, they find themselves in a very messy dilemma. Year after year, 28 years in fact, I waited anxiously to see how they would decide to resolve it.

A perfect beach read.

Buy on Bookshop.org today!

The Vampires are back! This week Stephenie Meyer released her long anticipated follow-up to the Twilight Saga, Midnight Sun. The narrator in this book is Edward Cullen, the vampire himself. It begins on the first day that Bella Swan attends her new school in Forks, Washington, and continues as their relationship develops. This time around though, we see everything through Edward's eyes, mind and voice. I dipped into it last night and it is a very interesting take on the story and seeing events from Edward's perspective is somewhat fascinating. If you've read the books, done the movies, then like Edward when it comes to Bella, you have no choice. You must read Midnight Sun.

Click here to return to Forks

Notes from the Pond is the semi-regular newsletter of

Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books located on the pond at the Waterfront Shops in Duck at 1240 Duck Road, Duck. ph 252-261-5510; and Downtown Books located in beautiful downtown Manteo on Roanoke Island at 103 Sir Walter Raleigh Street. ph 252-473-1056.