We installed cabinet lights in our kitchen, accent spotlights in our living room, and landscape lights around the exterior of the house. We lit up our patio. Although we’ve always had string lights in our backyard, what we had was cheap—the basic generic Target brand. When one of the incandescent bulbs burnt out, everything went dark. If we connected more than two stands, the fuses burnt out.

 It wasn’t cutting it, not for lighting affiscinatoes like us. So, we splurged. We bought the commercial grade stuff—what cafes and beer gardens use. After all, we spend a great many evenings out there, and the space serves as our personal café and beer garden.