TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - Dinner with Friends

Sometimes having dinner with friends means something other than a festive gathering of people of various ages and backgrounds around a busy table with a lot of good food, conviviality, and conversation.  Sometimes it means having a peaceful  meal at a quiet table surrounded by things that have become friends due to the love and companionship acquired over the course of years.  In this case, the "friends" that surround this evening's table are my books, as I chose to set the table in the library for dinner.  It seemed appropriate then, to have a few books on the table as a part of the centerpiece.  A miniature Toby Jug of Sherlock Holmes surveys the scene.

I absolutely adore this set of dishes that I've been slowly acquiring on eBay.  How perfect are they for a literary setting like the library?

I love these scenes of Victorian London.

The literary design on the cup in the background is the perfect complement for the books.

Sources:

Table Runners: Pottery Barn

Brass Candlesticks: Virginia Metalcrafters

Candles: Bayberry tapers by Colonial Candle

Sherlock Toby Jug: Royal Doulton

Dishes: The Old Curiosity Shop by Royal (eBay)

Flatware: Fiestaware

Glasses: A wedding gift

This is linked to 

Happy Birthday, Sherlock! (and a recipe)

My love for mysteries that began with the very early reading of Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes has continued to this day.  I've been collecting items related to mystery and Holmes, in particular, to such an extent that, at one time, I had a Sherlock Holmes guest room complete with a miniature recreation of his digs at 221 B Baker Street!  I have enough ornaments (and the search, as any true Holmes fan can tell you, continues), and used to erect a Sherlock Holmes Christmas tree each Christmas.

The mug in this picture was acquired at the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London, the spoon at a gift shop in Oxford, and the cookie was created from a cutter that I had custom made.  Some of my fondest memories are associated with Holmes, including the weekend I spent as Jeremy Brett's (portrayer of Holmes in the highly successful and long-running Granada television Sherlock Holmes series) escort when he was in town as a part of a ten-city U.S. tour.  I was in heaven!

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes

The love of mystery becomes a part of you.  It has worked its way into my art...

Scrapbook page that was published in The Rubber Stamper magazine

my jewelry...

A Sherlock Holmes bracelet of my own design

my knitting...

A scarf of my own design soon to be available in my Etsy shop

and, as you saw above, my cooking.

While it's unclear if Holmes had any particular favorite food or beverage, I certainly have a favorite hot drink to which I will hoist and offer him the happiest 157th birthday a guy could ever have.  I hope you'll join me.

MALTED HOT CHOCOLATE

Serves 2

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup malted milk powder

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat milk until hot but not boiling.  Whisk in chocolate chips and malted milk powder until smooth.  Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla.  Beat the cream until thick in a small bowl, gradually adding sugar and then beating until soft peaks form.

Pour hot chocolate into your favorite mug and top with generous dollops of whipped cream.

Enjoy this wonderful winter warmer while contemplating the passions of your life.

This is linked to Tablescape Thursday and Sunday Favorites