I put up the mini lights along a much travelled stone path under maples, from my back gate where I park. There is a homicidal stepping stone there that juts out of what becomes a gully in wet seasons and the path is hard to see in the dark. I have never been able to have a flash light, it's either lost, has dead batteries or is not with me when I'd need it. And, one more thing to carry, remember, etc. I got a timer for the mini lights, we're still figuring it out, the plug doesn't fit on the gfi outlet so I have to get a short ext. cord. They are closer together than I want or need, 12" would be perfect, but is unavailable. I'm far from satisfactory solutions yet. Any live flame is out of the question in my main gardens, they're 700-1200' from my house. The best thing so far are some small solar powered spots, 3 in a box with a small solar collector. They're small, black, easy to hide and give off a surprising amount of light. They actually throw light rather than just glowing. The thin, black cords are 25' each and also easy to hide. I'm thinking of getting some more and try someting with orange cloth, since the light is too white. The link shows the kind, though mine were 39.00 and have spikes that push into the ground, or you can tie them to a tree. Here is a link that might be useful: Solar spots (

You can buy the battery operated candles at Bed,Bath & Beyond, A.C. Moore's, Michael's, Plow & Hearth and they are wonderful. That is all we use anymore in our house. We live in a Sr. Citizens community and about 3 yrs. ago there was a bad fire in a garden apt. one windy Jan. night started by a plastic coffee maker being put on a burner that was on by mistake. A man lost his death because he went back into his first floor apt. to get some important papers and the ceiling from the apt. on fire fell on him and killed him. They had to tear the entire building down and rebuild it. Every since then, we only use the battery operated ones. They have some that are scented and the outside feels like real wax. They have a lot of hours of use, something like 100 or 500 before you have to replace the batteries. They are LED lights. Candles that come in lots of colors plus white and off white.

Thanks everyone for the information, and Tommyc & Simon, I have saved your instructions for a future project. I have been using solar panels with AA batteries to power my LED projects and it seems to be working wonderfully. I really like not having to hard wire stuff. It took me a few tries before I clued into just how bright different LEDs are. The first ones I got were pathetic, and I ended up using some 'mid-range' LEDs. They produce enough light to satisfy the look I'm trying to achieve. Still working on diffusing them somewhat to produce the most pleasing glow, apparently a small amount of silicon over the LED will do that. I also learned that 'yellow' LEDs don't necessarily produce 'yellow' light, but more amber. And that 'yellow' LEDS are actually clear. All very confusing, but once you figure it out it's like having insider information! LOL Must try David's trick of the mylar. Is it clear mylar or silver? Thanks again all! Most helpful bunch here.

"there are other lights on the same circuit which I do not wish to dim." Get a plug in dimmer, or one you can mount in the cord. "LED's -- well, ok, I guess I can research them. Do you have direct experience with your suggestion?" Yep. But you need to know how to design the circuits required. This is one place that 555 timers are your fiend.