Solar Success – An Upgrade On Our Deck

Sometimes watching DIY shows can lead to a lightbulb moment. A SOLAR one, that is! One of the designers stuck solar lights into antique lobster buoys and placed them on a deck. And that got me thinking. For years I have stuck small amber colored glass votive holders into the wrought iron sconces I hang around our deck on our pool fence.

When we had parties (in the good old days before Covid19) I would place small votive candles in each glass globe to add ambiance to the deck. But that was a total hassle and the lights rarely lasted as long as our parties. And those little cups also filled with water with every rain storm. A real pain. So after watching that DIY show I began to wonder if I could find solar lights that I could use instead of candles. 

I seemed to remember seeing small solar lights last year at Dollar Tree. They were displayed right inside the front door of the store. So I suited up in my HAZMAT gear and headed out on my quest.

And there they were. Still there! Right inside the door! So I quickly bought up every one they had in stock…so we have “extras” in case some quit working. (And for only a dollar each, you KNOW that will happen!)

Of course Peepaw usually completes all of my brainstorm handyman projects, but this time I wanted to show him I could figure this one out all by myself. (Just call it my stubborn streak.) So while he was gone I got to work.

I’ll be the first to admit I am no good with power tools. And I can never find the right tool for the job anyway. So instead of heading to the garage I headed to my usual stomping grounds…my kitchen!

Let’s Begin!

The stakes on these solar lights were much too long…but instead of looking for a hack saw I grabbed MY tool of choice. A serrated knife from my knife block. And I began to “saw”…

My method worked like a charm!

Since the remaining stake was thinner than the sconce holder I did head to the garage to find a roll of tape which I wrapped around the stake to make it fit snuggly in the sconce base. I quickly learned it took nine times around the post to make it the perfect fit!

I repeated the process for all the remaining lights. Then I pulled the tab from each unit to activate the solar capabilities.

Out to the deck I went…to hang up my finished project.

Ta DAH! Solar Power!

Those cute little lights don’t provide much light, but letting Mother Nature do all the work makes me VERY happy! 

BTW…the beautiful building in the distance is the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The colored lights are the elevator shafts fitted with LED lighting that subtly change colors all night. It’s a peaceful, beautiful view from our home.

So whether it’s solar power or LED technology, lighting can sure have a positive influence on my mood. And during these quarantine days I need all the positive influence I can muster up.

Yup. I’m pretty proud of myself for tackling this project…and finishing it on my own!