Elementary, My Dear Watson, says Sherlock Holmes as he acknowledges the Belated Birthday wishes from his friend and colleague.
You see…Sherlock Holmes had a birthday on January 6th and of course today is January 23rd…so the birthday wishes are a bit late.
What? You say as you look at your calendar….Are we not celebrating Valentine’s Day?
Has SHE gone daft?
Let me explain.
As I was taking a tally of the many Valentine’s Day tablescapes I have done over the years, I saw myself bringing out a few of my red pieces.
And then I saw “HIM” in picture form lying on top of the red plaid salad plates.
Him???? Who Him???
Sherlock Holmes of course!
And my brain started rolling with it.
You see I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan and I remembered “his” birthday was January 6th.
Folks, I love to read and I happen to love a mystery.
AND I happen to love solving mysteries and when I join Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books, I am really on a high. (that might cause you to snicker to the inside joke here for those of you who know of Sherlock Holmes)
What? you say he is not real?
Noooooooo, say it isn’t so.
Of course Sherlock Holmes was a real character….so please don’t burst my bubble and call him fictional.
Everyone knows Sherlock lives at 221B Baker Street, London England.
So if he has an address, and a friend, and a cook, he must be real…right? (she says tongue in cheek)
But I digress.
I love the way Sherlock Holmes’ mind works in solving mysteries.
So a plan came together as I excitedly searched my stash and found treasures to coordinate with the reds and browns I envisioned.
(Reds of course being for Valentine’s Day and the browns for the masculinity of the detective.)
My thoughts were leaning towards a Birthday Dinner as many years ago I had set a table for a mystery dinner in honor of the sleuth.
You see, It is elementary my dear Watson!
For the first layer, I used a thin plaid sheet blanket for a tablecloth.
I had the two silhouettes of Sherlock Holmes that I found at a thrift shop many years ago and placed them in old frames.
Both show the famous pipe and hat and are both signed with two different signatures to make the mystery more elementary.
The place setting begins with a rattan charger and a beaded dinner plate topped by the red plaid salad plate which has a silhouette of a deer in the center.
We are keeping it masculine folks.
Remember it is elementary!
I also used the red vintage water glasses and ivory handled flatware sitting atop a folded tan linen napkin.
I also used the red vintage water glasses and ivory handled flatware sitting atop a folded tan linen napkin.
Binoculars, candle in a tin holder, tea pot, and a suspect list joined the other items.
The old rusty keys seemed perfect for part of the centerpiece, along with two magnifying glasses, a pewter clock and a glass beaker filled with a mysterious amber liquid! 
As I searched for clues…I mean items for the table setting, I discovered some interesting pieces.
Hmmmmmmm…… I thought, as I squinted my eyes in deep thought while gazing at my discoveries.
A globe, padlocks with keys and old books were temporarily removed from the Captain’s office and placed in the center of the table.
This was going to be fun!
A birthday party fronting for a Valentine’s Day Dinner.
That would be a mystery in itself.
Two felt lined “books” with compartments to hold lots of secrets were added to the center of the table along with a pewter clock and strange brown box with ribbon..
Since it was sure to be opened and searched for love notes, I laid out a distraction of currency and coins and old jewelry.
They joined the tarnished skeleton key name card holders and the old rusty keys with the mysterious number 2296.
I decided on a menu for the Valentine’s Day Mystery Dinner and came up with the following.
You see, I believe Mrs. Hudson at 221B Baker Street would have prepared the following: (I take a few liberties from the books “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” and ” A Study In Scarlett”)
Menu
Clear Beef Bouillon Soup
Roast Beef
Roasted potatoes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Chestnuts & Bacon
Lettuce Wedge Salad
Scarlet Red Velvet Cupcakes
Of course we have to have red velvet cupcakes for this dinner, right?
So, my dear readers….I hope you enjoy my combination Sherlock Holmes/Valentine’s Day Tablescape as we celebrate the birthday of this famous detective.
Belatedly of course.
It is elementary my dear Watson.
And remember what Sherlock has said:
“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth”.
Have a great and glorious day…
Colossians 1:26, 27
“… the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Thanks to dear friend Rita of Panoply for her organizing skills….she would make a great detective don’t you think?
A detective would have definitely come in handy last Saturday night when my Jayhawks lost to Rita’s Mountaineers.
Someone was needed to find out how a college basketball team ranked #3 in the nation and predicted to be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament in March could play so ineffectually. 🥴
I’m teasing of course as we all know that with sports teams anything can happen on any given Sunday… so to speak.
Congratulations to the Mountaineers as we move on to the Birds and the Bees.
What a lovely dinner table! And a great idea. I am very fond of Sherlock Holmes books too.
Oh Kari! This is fantastic! A mystery Valentines dinner sounds like so much fun. The touches of red, the keys (I think key to your heart) and the locks (reminded me of the locks on the bridges in Paris) give me a very romantic mystery vibe! Like something you might see on the Hallmark Mystery channel :). I was very intrigued to see the Canadian currency!
I love this, of course! The Burberry on your table is quintessentially British, and so are the egg coddlers. I love all the trinkets that relate to mysteries and literature on your table. Very fun!
Kari, this is an inventive Holmesian celebration with mystery and intrigue! Dr Watson would have been pleased! The colors and textures are wintry yet cozy. The centerpiece and all the details make the tablescape/scenario complete. Dinner at your table will be lively!
Fun tablescape!
https://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2023/08/collection-china-hutches-and-china.html
thank you Jeanne for topping by.
I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan and have read all the stories. This is a perfect compliment to the great sleuth. So many nice touches that bring the detective to mind. the checks in red and black and the reindeer pates are perfect for the theme. The guests will have a great time discussing mysteries and clues at this delightful table.
Lynne
Lynne Yay a fellow “sleuther”. and thanks for stopping by with your kind comments.
Super creative and fun tablescape! You have inspired me to try something new and different! I love all your mysterious details! Great work!
Hugs, Karin
Karin it was such fun putting this table together. I forgot to show the valentine love notes in the secret compartment of the books but oh well…It was still a hoot.
Oh my goodness Kari – your table is absolutely amazing! I love the masculine take and the marrying of the two celebrations. All the details on the table are so perfect for your theme and the red goblets and red plaid salad plates give a wonderful color nod to Valentine’s Day while keeping with your theme. Love your dialogue!! Wishing SH a belated happy birthday and wishing you and the Captain a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Kim you are too kind with your comments especially when setting a table like this is such fun that it is hardly any work. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours.
Ha this is a GREAT post, Kari! I love Sherlock too, and I amused myself quite a bit trying to scout out all the “clues” before you told us about them! You are so creative – those key place card holders for instance!! And not only that, the table is wonderful itself! You managed to make it fun and beautiful at the same time! I love the colors. SO perfect! Thanks for the entertaining interlude this morning, and Happy Late Sherlock Birthday/Valentines Day!
Thanks for stopping by Barbara, I love Sherlock and will always wish I lived at 221B Baker Street. LOL. I also like to solve mysteries much to the chagrin of the Captain. When watching a thriller, I tell him who the Killer is and I am usually correct….and he says I spoil it for him. hahaha
Kari, what a fun idea to host a Mystery Dinner for Valentine’s. Brovo for this clever, unique post. It’s obvious you had fun with this. I love all the details, the deer plates, and your detailed dialog. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you Sarah for stopping by and yes it was fun putting it all together. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Wow! You’ve topped yourself Kari. By the way I’m a huge mystery fan. I grew up on the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. Of course, I went on to Sherlock Holmes as I got older. One of my newer author’s is David Baldacci and I guarantee most of the time you’ll never see the ending coming. lol A belated birthday wish for Sherlock and a early happy Valentine’s Day.
Sandy you are too kind and I grew up with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and I loved them. I still love to read Daniel Silva, Agatha Christie, John Grisham, Lee Child and yes, David Baldacci. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Ron.
Very entertaining Kari! Quite the unusual Valentine celebration! I have always thought Sherlock Holmes stories were wonderful. You rounded up quite a lot of great props to stage your theme, love the mysterious items you chose! Love the magnifying glasses and framed silhouette prints. Very fun my dear!
Jenna
Thanks Jenna, you love to cook and devise new recipes and I love to read and write about mysteries. I guess we each have many gifts but some are more predominant than others. LOL. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Hugs
Kari, what a cleverly twisted cylinder of your brain you put into high gear for this masculine take on Valentine’s Day! As a collector and vintage/antiques dealer, all the little bits and bobs on the table are enough to keep me engaged throughout the dinner and throw my game off course in trying to solve ANY mystery! Those locks and keys are so cool, perhaps a tiny little heart beside one or both would up the Valentine anty, and throw any other sleuth off the mark. A very handsome table, indeed. I’m happy you joined us, and happy we beat your Jayhawks in probably one of their worst losses ever since the Mountaineers have such a bad record this season (but in all fairness, they are still not a full complement of all players, and haven’t been yet all season).
Thank you Rita, you are so kind and I so appreciate your hop organizing so that we stylists can show our talents. I did have a love note in one of the secret compartments in the books but forgot to take a pic of it. Oh well, sometimes I can’t remember what I did 5 minutes ago. LOL Hugs and Blessings Always
Kari, such a unique take for Valentines Definitely a masculine touch with a mysterious take. So many wonderful elements including the skeleton keys. This perfect for a mystery dinner. Very clever and so creative. Always a pleasure joining you on these hops. Happy Tuesday.
Thank you Linda, sometimes a masculine touch is necessary on a feminine holiday??? LOL. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours.
Kari, I can tell you had fun creating your table! Love all the elements you went sleuthing for and found. I laughed outloud at: “A birthday party fronting for a Valentine’s Day Dinner. That would be a mystery in itself.” As always, it’s a treat to have a virtual seat at your table and hop with you. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day ♥
Oh Mary, you know I did have fun. Thanks you for stopping by, and I just wanted to go out of the box for this woman-made-holiday-manufactured-by-a man-at-a-greeting-card-company day. LOL. Happy Valentine’s Day and I am expecting a card and chocolates. ❤️❤️
Kari, this is such a creative twist on the typically feminine holiday! The whimsical and clever table accents are so fun, as is your inclusion of the menu and yes, I would love a scarlet red velvet cupcake, please! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
I love the menu Cecilia and feel it would have been at 221B Baker St. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, Hugs
Elementary my dear Kari, you are quite the clever one! This is a different take on Valentine’s table with a little masculinity and mystery. I have to admit I know very little about Sherlock Holmes. But I am positive that all of the details you placed on your table were perfectly suited. You have a creative mind and think up tablescapes that are fun and whimsical. I can just imagine a delightful bunch sitting around your table discussing Sherlock Holmes and enjoying your menu. It is certainly a treat to join you at table, my friend❤️
Pam, that would make my day to sit around the table solving mysteries. I love to read and the more twists and turns the author takes the more I like it. The Captain gets a little annoyed (and rightly so) when I tell him who the bad guy is as we are watching spy etc. movies so I have started honoring my husband by writing it on a piece of paper to be revealed at the end of the movie. LOL. That way he can watch the movie without my kibitzing. ❤️❤️. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Butch.
What a nice change to see a more masculine looking table for Valentine’s, but just the right touch of red in your salad plates and glasses . Love how you combined the two celebrations. There are so many neat accessories on your table for that mystery theme. Would love to be a guest at your table. Even your Bible verse coordinates with your topic.
Yes, Congrats to Rita’s Mountaineers! They sure found a way to shoot a lot of deep threes in the first half against KU.
Thanks Jan, it was so fun working on this tablescape.
On the basketball front, I was so glad the Jayhawks beat Cincinnati after that loss to WV. Even the announcers said the Mountaineers shot more threes in the game against us then they shot all year long. Ugh. Now we have to face the Cyclones Saturday and I watched them the other night and they are pretty good. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️❤️
What a clever table with all of the mystery elements! This would be a perfect setting for your guests to try to solve “what’s for dinner?” or “whats for dessert”, with hidden clues all around the table! Enjoy!!
Patti, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such kind comments. Great idea on the hidden clues. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️ and stay warm until our weather removes the deep freeze that encompasses us right now. When we lived in Kansas, we used to joke… just stick around 5 minutes and the weather will change. LOL