After years of eating outside without light, I finally came up with a solution. I found this outdoor galvanized pendant on Ebay last year, originally sold by Pottery Barn and had the electrician wire an electrical outlet at the base of the Mulberry Tree.
We hung the pendant from a branch which ended up perfectly centered over the cement table. It came with 25 feet of cord which we hid in the branches, winding it's way down the trunk where it could be plugged in as needed. Brilliant!
We couldn't wait to see it lit up in the evening.
But wait! I had another brilliant idea. I found these moss bowls at the hardware store in Healdsburg and the light bulb went off in my head to fill them with succulents and hang the baskets from the Mulberry Tree with rope.
I thought three would be the best, all spaced equally around the tree.
It seems that succulents really thrive in this climate.
I am planting them everywhere!
It's getting towards evening and the wind is picking up. The three baskets are still hanging!
We were excited to plug in the light!
Brilliant!
The sun is setting in the courtyard...
And in the vineyard...
It's our favorite time of day...
Watching the birds perform for us...
We're wondering what took us so long to come up with this brilliant idea!
Before, even with candles, we couldn't see our food or each other. My niece even brought her miner's hat once so she could see her dinner!
I'm happy to say that there are now no more summer evening dinners in the dark!
It's not too late to enter my giveaway from Timeless Settings!
Click here for details. The winner will be announced tomorrow.
Yes it is absolutely brilliant! Do yourself a favor and put a dimmer switch on it. We found that sometimes after dinner we wanted to still sit outside but wanted to dim the lights a little so we could still see each other but wanted to see the stars. Mood lighting is good everywhere dahling! lol
ReplyDeleteYou will probably eat out there every night this summer.
What a lovely setting and fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful. The setting is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a breathtaking setting. Your ideas are genius and inspiring. I want to plant tons of succulents now. The photos are so gorgeous I want to walk into the setting. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteEverithing adorable... I love the lamp and the hanging plants... BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeletekisses
Etta
*** Oh Y*E*S, girlfriend... this is alllll FAAABULOUS (annnnd, THIS compliment comes from one who, as you know, LIVES in the desert!)...
ReplyDeleteHave thought now, since moving here 6 years ago, about doing just what you did, and it DOES INDEED look tres wonderful, and soooo "personal"... "Succulent nursery here I come!"... (American Express Card warming up in the oven as I write! Smiles!)..
Big hugs to all,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
That was a great idea, Delores. Love the hanging bowls, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! What a beautiful view, and I really like the succulent baskets.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Absolutely lovely. I planted a bunch of succulents this year too, thanks to you! You inspired this great idea. thanks again. I love your lamp. It's perfectly patina'd too.
ReplyDeleteI love the lamp and great idea for the hanging baskets full of succulents! Your view is beyond spectacular, I would never leave that backyard!
ReplyDeleteThe lighting looks great!
ReplyDeleteLove the hanging baskets around the tree :o)
What is the name of the little 'pea' plant succulent please? My aunt used to have them and I'd love to track some down but it's difficult without knowing the name!
Wow, what a view! I love the way you hung the beautiful succulents under you tree, Very peaceful setting!
ReplyDeleteChar
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your hanging lantern. I adore your concrete table too and those baskets of succlents, welllllllll what can I say another Delores brilliant idea that I am adopting. Succulents are showing up here more and more too and why not since our summer heat here in N FL is horrific. Thank you again Delores.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn/A Southerners Notebook
Delores, do you ever take
ReplyDeletein that view and need to
pinch yourself?? So very
beautiful and I love your
new light!
xx Suzanne
It is all so special...right out of a magazine..love coming here!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant indeed! Love the look and love the succulents. Your views are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea, Delores! We have lights in the trees and on the terrace, but I've often wished for a light hanging down over the table. I'll have to see if something like this would work hanging from our tree. Thanks for sharing. It all looks wonderful. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL!! I love outdoor spaces!
ReplyDelete~Angela
You certainly chose the perfect dining lamp. It looks so great with those beautiful weathered gray chairs. The succulents look lovely hanging from that fabulous tree, with the limbs so wonderfully covered with Lichen. That even co-ordinates with the gray chairs and lamp, but then you always seem to choose just the right touches. Thanks for sharing! Carolyn in NC
ReplyDeleteThe baskets hanging from the tree look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWell we all love candle light but it is nice to have a a lamp to plug in. Your view is so gorgeous. I picture many warm evenings out there with great friends and conversations.
ReplyDeleteEverything you did is beautiful. :D
ReplyDeleteLove it.
OMG!!!! Your view is awe inspiring!!! I would never get tired of seeing that!!!!!!!!!!!! And I never do when you show us in pictures like this!!!!! The succulenys in the moss bowls are gorgeous and I LOOOOVE the new light! It is perfect! I love your neice and her great idea:):):) This post is gorgeous. I want succulets now, not sure how they would do here though. It;s worth a try!!!!!! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteCan you also tell me about the cement table???? I have always LOVED it too. Where did you get it etc>????? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi D, Omgosh it is brillant and so picturesque. Seriously looks like a beautiful spread in a magazine. Love the hanging moss bowls, what a perfect setting you have made for your home!! Love love it!!
ReplyDeleteKathysue
Great post Delores! Love the new light fixture,moss bowls and views. Thank you for the cyber sunshine!
ReplyDeleteI have this same lighting issue... brilliant solution! I saw a similar fixture at Home Depot the other day. My mind is already working on it!
ReplyDeleteSIMPLY AMAZING...:)
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful! I'd love to sit under that light and dine in your picturesque surroundings. laurie
ReplyDeleteFABulous idea as always
ReplyDeleteFABulous view!
sure lovin ur succulents. Its been in the 90's here in the OC and so ready for the June gloom
Cyndy
http://stores.ebay.com/Cyndys-BEACH-HOUSE?_rdc=1
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cyndys-Beach-House/206794556021103
How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful surroundings Delores -this is absolute heaven . Your blog is only one of very few I check out regularly ,(there are to many exciting blogs out there - I would go nuts trying to keep up with more !)
ReplyDelete(BTW ,thanks for checking out my experimental blog last year..I just wanted to see how it is done ,and it is a LOT of work : / )
Best wishes ,Agusta (Iceland )