I fired Adobe Photoshop - and downloaded something called Pixelmator... still learning to use that - so am using some older pictures.  This is a shot I took at the Ladybird Wildflower Center just about this time of year - a few years back... kind of cool that Nature creates its own garland! Come the holidays I always like to find some excuse to leave a strand or two of lights up... I've always liked the unexpected lighting afforded by them.   But, this year - I bought a strand of those outdoor string lights - like you see at trendy outdoor cafes. - (while I'm confessing.. I also love timers) - These cool string lights are adorning the oak tree that leans over my deck out back... and they dutifully come on at dusk and go off promptly two hours later.  I have never been so aware at the shift of daylight to dark as the days grow shorter... 

on an aside... seeing as it's cooling down - we went to an outdoor pottery festival last weekend - and while I enjoyed the pottery - I REALLY was taken by the innovative means of display... I know a great many of you that read also sell in shows - and I thought I'd share. This one below all folded out by means of piano hinges... and it all was just things that folded off of a small trailer!  Very cool.  It would also allow, depending upon depth, *for smaller items* - such as jewelry - a means to simply fold up and secure.  

There were other amazing displays - I wish I'd taken more pictures.  NOTE TO SELF... do it.  smiles - Jill