Tea In the Garden

The week of July 4

has been a magical week on the prairie

Instead of prairie hot

We've had cool and comfortable

Perfect

for tea in the garden

For every afternoon at half past three

I stop

And put the kettle on

And have a cup of tea

But I'm not always alone.

Sometimes a neighbor stops by

The kettle comes to a boil,

the tea is steeped

A tray is set up and the pot and cups and tea treats are placed on top

And sometimes I grab a tablecloth

Lace or crochet being my favorites for the garden

It's a Spode Blue Italian kind of tea

The cups and saucers, the treat plate and the teapot

No cream or sugar for we both prefer our tea plain

The nosh?

Chocolate Shot Cookies

An oatmeal shortbread with a chocolate shot edge

Perfect for afternoon tea

As is the garden . . .

It's fun to sip and munch

And watch the sun and shadows move across the garden.

CHOCOLATE SHOT COOKIES

(They're easy to make, keep in the fridge or freezer and slice and bake as needed -- my kind of tea cookie!)

1 cup butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

2 t. vanilla

2 bottles of chocolate shot sprinkles

Cream butter and sugar, add rolled oats, then add flour, baking soda, and vanilla.    Mix well.   Then divide into three parts.    Roll each part into roll.   Set on wax or parchment paper.    Working with one roll at a time, sprinkle the chocolate shot on the paper and roll to coat sides.    Set coated rolls on tray and refrigerate short time to firm up making slicing easier.    May refrigerate overnight if desired.    remove from the refrigerator, slice and bake on silpat covered cookie sheet or greased metal cookie sheet.    Bake at 325 10 to 12 minutes until slightly browned on bottom.

It's Tuesday and I'm joining the tea parties:

Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

Kathy at A Delightsome Life for A Return to Loveliness

Terri at Artful affirmations Tea Cup Tuesday

Martha's Favoritesmarthasfavorites.com for Tea Cup Tuesday

Antiques and Teacups Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Bernideen's Tea In the Garden

Jann Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home