Southern Thursday Tablescape

tabelscape

Another tablescape hosted by Between Naps on the Porch. Today’s tablescape is “coffee on the porch.” As you can see, my little doggie, Bailey, decided he liked the chair (or maybe he just wanted to be in the pics, the little ham).

The coffee set is one that I’ve had for several years. It isn’t marked. I got it at an estate sale many years ago. I love the little cups.

A cup of coffee on the porch, a good book, a sunny Spring day, my sweet dog. Doesn’t get much better than that!

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That’s Bailey in the chair.

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By the way, that is chicory coffee – my favorite!

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The book is Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank

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The garden seat and planter are very old. The plant in the planter is a bird of paradise that I’ve been growing for about 5 years. They say it will bloom in 7 years – only 2 years to go!!

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The plants in the straw basket planter are moon flower and morning glory. They will eventually climb an open lattice trellis that I have yet to put up. The moon flowers are white and bloom at night and the morning glories are blue and bloom in the morning so I’ll have blooms during the times that I am usually on the porch.

Today’s Lagniappe: Butterscotch Pecan Shortbread Cookies
The only thing that might make coffee on the porch better is these wonderful shortbread cookies made with pecans and brown sugar.

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

In a medium size mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla together. Stir in salt and flour; add pecans, kneading in gently with hands, if necessary.

Press or gently roll out on a lightly floured surface; cut into circles or squares about 1/4-inch thick. Bake at 325° for about 20 minutes. Time will vary with thickness, so check them after 12 to 15 minutes if they’re a little thinner.

Makes about 15 to 18 cookies.

Comments

44 responses to “Southern Thursday Tablescape”

  1. Betty Eshenour Avatar
    Betty Eshenour

    I have some moonflower seeds somebody sent me last year and they are in a paper envelope in the garage. Do you think I could still plant it this year or just hold it over until next Spring? Do you recall when you planted your seed? They smell so wonderful in the evenings. Thought I’d plant it right outside of my front door, so when I go outside, I can enjoy the wonderful fragrance or visitors coming in will wonder what smells so nice!

  2. Betty Eshenour Avatar
    Betty Eshenour

    What a beautiful tea set! I’m reading Sullivan’s Island right now..have read Pawley’s Island, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms and The land of mango sunsets. Didn’t really find the last one was as good as the first 3 were, but I stuck with it till the end. Wanted to see if she ended up with Harrison! I’ve been looking for Plantation in library or used book store but to no avail. Friend bought Return to Sullivan’s Island and will share with me when she is finished with it.
    She grew up in the Mt. Pleasant area. I hope to visit some of these islands next Spring.

  3. Katherine Avatar

    I’m glad I scrolled down and found your blue and white tablescape! Love it!

    Katherine

  4. mary Avatar

    Oh, how beautiful! Love your coffee set. And it looks like you have a sweet little companion to keep you company. 😉

  5. Jenifer Avatar
    Jenifer

    I could camp out here. Plantation is one of my favorite books!! She’s working on a sequel. Looks like a fab. little spot.

  6. laurie Avatar

    Such a pretty coffee set, and I love the large pot with the plant behind the chair. This looks so inviting. laurie

  7. JudyBug Avatar

    Oh this is so inviting! Your little Bailey is adorable and looks as spoiled as my Boudreaux!
    JudyBug

  8. LdyDy Avatar

    All I can say is aaaaahhhhh… a very relaxing and inviting table. Cute doggie!! I hope he gave up that seat for you!! LOL

  9. Mary Avatar

    Cozy teatable, I love blue and white china! Mary of Boogieboard Cottage :O)

  10. Leisa @ IdeaMom Avatar

    What a lovely tea party, and your sweet little pup is a perfect guest! The shortbread cookies sound yummy. I’m printing the recipe as I type! Thanks!

  11. Andrea at Opulent Cottage Avatar

    I love your sweet doggie! My cat Minnie was trying to get into my pics too, but sadly none of those came out. Your coffee set is so beautiful, too.
    Cheers, Andrea

  12. Nancy Avatar

    Very inviting.You just can’t go wrong with blue and white china! You’ll love the moonflowers; they have a wonderful fragrance. :)Nancy

  13. Lynda Avatar

    That is such a beautiful teaset on such a great porch! And your little dog is too cute! You’re right…it doesn’t get much better than this!

  14. Starr Avatar
    Starr

    Oh man! I could sit out there all day reading. Love your coffee set! And your little dog is a cutie.

  15. KBeau Avatar

    I love the teaset. Makes me want to go sit on my porch with a cup of tea right now, but unfortunately it’s storming.

  16. Theresa Avatar

    Love your coffe set.I am partial to blue and white.

  17. Luanne Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by my Easter Brunch! Very pretty place to sit and have my favorite coffee…chicory! Yum…..and I’ll have to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing! Lu

  18. Cass @ That Old House Avatar

    Your coffee set is exquisite — such a beautiful blue and white set, and it has a lovely vintage/antique look about it.

    I envy you the garden seat; it’s one of those things I have always wanted, and just never got around to getting. Maybe this year!

    Bailey is a sweetie. And of course the dog gets to be in the pictures! Don’t you know that?

    Thanks for visiting! And yes, I did need the caffeine today. Still do!
    Cass

  19. Joyce Avatar

    I love the coffee set and the dog Bailey is so cute. The cookie recipe was a nice added bonus. Thank you.
    Joyce

  20. Dream Mom Avatar

    I just happened to print off the recipe yesterday for the shortbread cookies and I made them today. (Highly unusual to actually make a recipe I printed!) They were very easy and delicious. I loved that it took only minutes to make (really!) and they made a little over a dozen which was the perfect size to whip up before someone comes over. Easy to do on a moment’s notice. Thanks for the suggestion!

  21. Mrs.DD Avatar

    What a pretty tea set! Love the blue and white. I also love your choice of reading material. She is one of my favorite authors. Have a great day!

  22. Kathleen Avatar

    Oh, that is so pretty! Looks so inviting..what a lovely set!

  23. Sofia Avatar
    Sofia

    Beautiful porch setting. Lovely place to have coffee with a friend

  24. Cathy Avatar

    Laura Ashley perfect, actually better because you included Bailey! This is my first visit to your blog and it has been a fun one! ~Cathy~

  25. Sandi Avatar

    Wonderful blue dishes, and what a great little “corner of the world” to enjoy your coffee in. Have a happy Tablescape Thursday

  26. Chari Avatar

    Hi Christi…

    What a lovely tea set…it looks like flow blue…so beautiful!!! Love the shape of the teapot/coffeepot…and the pretty pattern! You have a lovely spot to set, relax, and take in the day!!! A cup of chicory sounds delicious and a good book…well, you’re absolutely right, it just doesn’t get any better than that!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

  27. Zoey Avatar

    What a great way to spend a warm afternoon. I love the blue/white pattern on your tea service. I can’t wait until it gets warm enough so I can sit out on the deck.

  28. Kim Avatar

    Fabulous coffee set. Looks like a very relaxing place to read a good book. And your doggie is too cute.

  29. Janie G Avatar

    Your coffee service set is beautiful! I’m always amazed at how different the blue and white dishes are from each other. I love your china planter containing your bird of paradise. I had no idea they took 7 years to bloom!

  30. Shelia Avatar

    Hi and what a lovely outside table you’ve set! I love your beautiful coffee set – blue and white are my favorites. I see your little fuzzy face is enjoying herself! How precious!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  31. Linderhof Avatar

    What a nice respite in a busy day — love the coffee set. A great estate sale find. But then I LOVE anything blue and white! A good book, surrounded by plants, with your dog by your side, and a beautiful table with a good cup of coffee. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

  32. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    Looks so beautifully southern. I love your doggie, he is just the cutest. Southern Woman must be born with a tablescaping gene. LOL! Beautiful. Cindy

  33. Gloria Avatar

    Love that coffee server just beautiful..I could spend a day there sipping coffee and reading…hugs and smiles Gl?ria

  34. Katy Avatar

    Lovely little tea service and what an adorable pooch! Thanks for sharing!~ Katy

  35. Martha Avatar

    A good cup of coffee, a good book and a good dog. Now that’s my kind of afternoon delight.

  36. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    All of the blue and white is wonderful. That pot and garden seat are real treasures. Great post. Sally

  37. susan Avatar

    I don’t know that I could wait on ANYTHING seven years! It is obvious that this spot is filled with your favorite things!

  38. kathy's red door welcome Avatar

    Looks like a very cozy place to have coffee and read. I love blue and white.

  39. Barb Garrett Avatar

    Just lovely! The perfect place to sit and read a book and take in the day. Thanks for sharing. Barb

  40. Kathleen Ellis Avatar

    What a lovley afternoon you’ve prepared for! I wish it were warm enough here for me to do the same! Your friend Bailey is adorable! I didn’t know it took so long for a bird of paradise to bloom…wow!
    Happy April!
    ;-D

  41. ellen b Avatar

    Oh that is calling to me. It looks so peaceful and pleasant. That recipe looks really good, too!

  42. Susan Avatar

    Christi…love your beautiful tea party! Bailey is precious! I so admire your patience and steadfastness…waiting for your Bird of Paradise to bloom. I’m not so great with indoor plants…it never would have lasted this long at my house, I’m afraid. Did you know Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor is having a tea party on this Sunday? She’s hoping to have lots of folks link their tea parties over at her blog. This would be great! She’s listed on my blog in my blog roll if you need the link to her blog. Thanks for a beautiful TT and those cookies sound totally yummy!

  43. jain Avatar
    jain

    that is so sweet, love the whole setting!

  44. Dream Mom Avatar

    Love your coffee set. It’s gorgeous! Funny how the dogs know just where to sit-in the best spot in the house! I’d love to read there. Your cookies sound good too and easy to make. I’ll have to try them.

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