The most delicious coconut cookies ever

I hosted a bridal shower this weekend. It was a lovely occasion. The honoree was beautiful. The table was beautiful. The gifts were beautiful. The guests were beautiful. Everything was beautiful.

Except, of course, for the photos I took. To be honest, I forgot to take pictures. Can you believe it?

You can picture it in your mind's eye, though. Picture a table covered with a white linen cloth and yards of tulle. Imagine lots of tealights flickering. Conjure up the image of freshly baked cookies, crunchy crackers and yummy homemade dip, gorgeous fresh strawberries, a yummy cake surrounded by fresh pansies, and a beautiful crystal punch bowl filled to the brim with the most delicious punch you've ever had. Ummmm.

Okay, now picture that punch bowl, still holding quite a bit of punch. when one of my co-hostesses picked it up after the shower was over. Imagine it breaking into two pieces right in her hands. Visualize a waterfall of punch pouring over her clothes, onto to the table, all over the rug. Picture the bride, the mother of the bride, and the mother of the groom helping me throw towels onto my dining room rug to sop up the punch. Can you see it?

Yes, that's what happened at the end of this beautiful shower.

Oh, well. No one was hurt; the only casualty was my punch bowl (and perhaps my pride, but that's better off dead anyway). And I managed to take a couple of photos after all the mess was finally cleaned up.

The flowers. . . grocery store blooms of various kinds, mostly white, arranged in an antique vase:

A little vignette on my mother's dough cabinet. . . some pansies from my garden in a thrift store vase, the bride and groom's names written on a thrift store plate-turned-chalkboard, thrift store candlesticks painted Heirloom white, candles with a bit of Dollar Tree tulle tied around them, and some keys, just for fun:

And a few leftover coconut cookies:

And these, my friends, are the Most Delicious Coconut Cookies Ever. Coconut shortbread, to be exact. Try them. I promise you'll like them.

Coconut Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Add flour and coconut; mix well. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten in a criss-cross design with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from oven. Allow to sit on cookie sheet for a minute, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 3 1/2 dozen.

These really are the best coconut cookies I've ever eaten. They'll melt in your mouth and make your taste buds dance for joy. I think you'll want to serve them at the next shower you host. Just be careful with your punch bowl.

I'm linking to DIY Day at Kimba's and to Tabletop Tuesday at Marty's. Wonderful projects of every size can be found at these wonderful parties!