The lightning bugs are coming out to play! Just before dark, they wake up from their hidden bed chambers in the grass and make the countryside sparkle! This is my favorite time of day in the summer. Sitting on my back porch swing I have a panaromic view of the all their lighting and flitting...
Do remember catching them in a jar when you were a child? The jar would flicker and glow! What simple joy! It was a miracle in a jar! I still feel that way when the lightning bugs come out to play!
These dear, simple and homespun lanterns remind me of lightning bugs in a jar! They are easy to make and such a delightful welcome as summer's day melts into night.
Put bird seed ( or sand if you are near the beach) in a ball jar and drop a votive candle in a small glass votive holder. Nestle the candle down in the bird seed. That's it!
Lightning Bug Lantern!
Lightning Bug Lantern!
To make the handle use a 16 gauge steel wire and fastened it to the rim of the jar. Use a second length of wire to make the little handle. So easy! I cut and bent the wire with wire cutters.
Hang lightning bug lanterns on a crook in the garden. Line the walk with them or light up the front porch to welcome guest. Put them in unexpected places!
These little lanterns bring a warm glow to a summer evening... and a little charm too!
Yvonne, I have such great memories of catching lightening bugs, too. I remember doing it one summer on a very hot evening at my grandparents' house in N.C. I put them in a jar and put them in the bedroom I was sleeping in. I love how you made these jars with the birdseed and votives. Great idea and thank you so much for your very sweet comments.
ReplyDeleteOh, lightening bugs are so fun. I love watching the kids chase after them. Thank you for your encouraging words on my blog. They made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I luv Lightning BUGS!!!
ReplyDeleteHave for years and they are like magic in the air.
Nice post and great pics.
God bless and may you have a sweet week,
d
What a lovely idea!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't lived in an area where there are lightning bugs since I was a teenager. And my kids have NEVER lived where there are lightning bugs, so they've never seen them. Except this summer my daughter went on a trip to Pennsylvania. She called me one night, excited about catching lightning bugs. I know some people call them fire flies, but they were always called lightning bugs where I grew up.
Anyhow, I'm rambling. Thanks for a wonderful idea.
Blessings,
Patti (Fill My Cup with Beauty)
Love your lanterns Yvonne! I have a few too, although you have inspired me to add some more. I remember catching lightening bugs when I was a kid....
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I just love the bird seed in a the bottom of the jar. It is so charming and I can't wait to make me a few and place them out on the patio. Have a wonderful week. Patty
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet idea, it adds so much! I have only seen lightening bugs once in my life time..I'd always thought the were just in fairy tails...it was so exciting to see them for the first time with my children. :D (Mailed your package today..it's just a little give a way, hope you won't be dissapointed)
ReplyDeleteYvonne, it is always a treat to stop by and see what your creative mind has come up with to make home a fun, enjoyable place! Love the idea of lightning bug lanterns! We don't have them where I live, west of the Mississippi now. On a visit to my parents my son put one in my room for a "Night Light." Joni
ReplyDeleteDon't we all remember these evenings as kids...such fun from something so simple. Maybe we are needing this return to simplicity so your little mason jar candlelabras are wonderful and charming and perfect. xx's
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I never caught them, I just don't think they lived where I grew up....if they did, they flew away and hid from me! I have seen them as an adult when visiting in Miss. and now and then on the highway....perhaps I should grab a jar and go scouting...it is dark out now.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post. It bought back memories of a time I was a bit mischievious. My cousin and I caught SEVERAL lightning bugs and we put them in Grandma's bed. NOT funny when you have to recatch them! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, growing up in Wisconsin we had lightning bugs or June bugs as they were often called. We thought they were so magical. These lanterns are just magical too. This brings me back to when I was a little girl. We would run around in the yard at twilight in our short nighties with the lightning bugs and pretend we were fairies. These lights would surely invite the fairies out to dance.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, once I have seen in U.S.A. the lightning bugs coming out of the meadows. That was so magical. They are here in germany in our area very seldom and we we can see any, there are just a few in the darkness. But your lanterns are great, I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Johanna
I'm a CA gal who missed out on lightening bugs, but I do adore your darling little lanterns. You've created another winner with your little jars...thanks Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty these are, and something I plan on making soon.
ReplyDeleteCute idea, love the bird seed, it adds more texture and color!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Haven't seen too
ReplyDeletemany lightening bugs in Florida.
Miss those evenings!
Beautiful post!
Jane
Flora Doora
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute votive idea. We caught lightening bugs all the time, as kids!
Yvonne: This is a wonderful idea--clever use of Mason jars and birdseed. Two thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteAs I child, I had a pet lightening bug named Fiona. For awhile, I thought Fiona followed me everywhere I went. It was devastating to find out the truth!!
Best,
Bonnie
LOVE your lanterns my friend! I so enjoy using mason jars in unexpected ways! Last week my inlaws stopped in for the weekend and my father-in-law, who has lived his whole life in Washington State, was amazed to see *lightening bugs*. He had never seen them before and they put on a great performance for him :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
My kids all LOVE catching lightening bugs and Mason jar votives are a staple around here. Charming and lovely as always Yvonne- we're so glad to be home and catching up
ReplyDeletexoxo Pattie
Hi Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of hanging these sweet little lanterns from your shepherd's crook.
I have an "empty" crook in the backyard that needs a lantern :D
~Wishing you a wonderful week, Yvonne~
Thanks always for the work you do creating such a wonderful place to visit~
Maria
We love to catch lightening bugs (or fireflies, as they are known here in our town of SC!) My children gather their jars with holes in the lids and we have so much fun catching them! Of course, we let them go just before bedtime, so "they can be with their families." Often, I have the children research the things we are doing or different things we find. Last summer, we learned that the lightening bug is actually in the beetle family! I have family coming to town from Memphis next week and we will be making your granola, as well as, displaying these little laterns! Thank you! (My son is named 'Mason' for his great grandmother, Anna Mason...on a side note!) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute idea. Your bitty buddy loves lightening bugs! She could run around all night catching them. A couple of weeks ago, she caught like a dozen of them and had them in a jar. She told me that she caught them for me. Later that night laying in bed I kept seeing little lights. She had put the jar of them in my room and they had used one of the holes as an escape hatch! Crazy kid!
ReplyDeleteYvonne...these are just darling!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your profile every time I pop over! It is just so you...so beautiful!
Enjoy!
Cathy
those are just too cute! I love it!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, you add such a MAGICAL TOUCH to EVERYTHING!! I think tonight I am going to take my girls out on the porch, and see if we spot any lightning bugs on the prairie!! XXOO,Damaris
ReplyDeleteOh so sweet and the perfect addition to a summer party.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. You are so cleaver!!! Lightening bugs were so much fun.....:)
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember hunting for lightning bugs at my Grandma's in Ohio when I was little! These are lovely, Yvonne, just like everything you do! XO!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, lightening bugs, a favorite childhood memory ..why don't I see them anymore? Probably because in the heat and bugginess of the south I don't sit out much at night..
ReplyDeleteAfter perusing a few Matha S. mags on vacation, I decided your blog is comparable. Thanks for all your efforts at producing such a delightful, pretty, and informative place to visit!
OH Gosh I remember those days,,catching lighting bugs,, I love to sit an watch them too,,you candle jars are really pretty and easy to make,,, what a glow they all must make.
ReplyDeleteHugs;
Alaura
just found your blog and am enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, yes, I have sweet memories of chasing lightning bugs on summer nights of my childhood. We would capture them in jars and whatch them dance. Your idea of the birdseed in the jars for the candles is super. I'm going to copy it! ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteHi! I just found your blog via Amanda @ Homegrown and Beeyoutiful and it is beautiful! What beautiful pictures and great ideas! I really like this post because I love mason jars.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteOh how excited I am that you left me a comment! I can't believe it! You see, just last week I was reading your blog just enjoying myself, then my computer started to act up and I lost your page. I was so upset. I tried my best to remember your blogs name and just couldn't remember it for nothing. I was trying high and low to figure out who I had visited that led me to you. Couldn't remember that either. I thank God that you found me!
I was enjoying reading about your giveaway too. The one with the Cuisnart Ice Cream maker. I was so excited because I got one for Mother's Day and I am now a huge fan of this little ice cream maker. I was trying to read your comments on peoples opinions about this little machine.
Besides that, How could anyone not fall in LOVE with your blog. It is absolutely beautiful and I must become a follower. Looking forward to trying your recipes.
By the way, I love these lanterns! Beautiful! I wish I cold sit with you and enjoy the view from your back porch too! I use to catch them in jars as a child too. I miss those fun Summer evenings. I'm now in the city and I never see them. Sad! That's why I want to buy a farm in the country to bring back all those fun memories. Thanks for sharing these tips. I'm going to have to make these.
Thanks again for your comment and sorry so long. It's nice to meet you too! Have a lovely evening! :)
God bless,
Charmaine
Hi Yvonne! I love your little lanterns! Someday I hope to see lighting bugs for real, its on my "bucket list".
ReplyDeleteRainey
I have such delightful memories of catching fireflies and spending endless summer evenings outside as well as sleeping in the enclosed porch we had.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this idea! The birdseed certainly would not be wasted either. :-)
Pat
I have such delightful memories of catching fireflies and spending endless summer evenings outside as well as sleeping in the enclosed porch we had.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this idea! The birdseed certainly would not be wasted either. :-)
Pat
buckle my shoes -- it's just not fair -- I feel left out -- I have NEVER seen in person a lighting bug -- that's right -- only in photos -- how can that be a 50 yrold and still haven't seen in person a lighting bug! O my what is a girl to do -- wink! Love your jar idea -- next best thing - right!
ReplyDeleteThis is just a fantastic project to do with my children! But around my area, we have squirrels problem, so I will have to use something else.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of your lighting bug lanterns..
What a cute idea! We never had mant lighning bugs around, I wish we did! Hope the birdies dont try to fly in to those little jars! lol
ReplyDelete