Harvest Lights

Pumpkins are everywhere during Halloween, but that doesn’t mean they have to be scary. In this quick and elegant harvest centerpiece, miniature pumpkins make perfect “boats” to float the short candles known as tea lights. (Tea lights are sold in most supermarkets.) Use the idea any time through Thanksgiving during the pumpkin season.

Use any large glass bowl filled with water, or place the pumpkins on a bed of autumn leaves directly on the table. When determining the number of pumpkins for your particular bowl, be sure to allow enough room for the pumpkins to float freely.

You will need:

3 to 6 “tea light” candles (1 per pumpkin)

3 to 6 mini-pumpkins in the colors of your choice

1 pencil

1 knife

1 glass bowl

Water

1 bunch autumn leaves

Matches

Remove tin holder from 1 candle. Place holder upside-down on top of 1 pumpkin. Using holder as guide, trace around holder with pencil. Using knife, cut along pencil mark deep enough to cut into pulp but not through bottom of pumpkin. Remove pumpkin top and discard. Repeat with remaining pumpkins.

Place candle back into tin holder and place in pumpkin. Place remaining candles in pumpkins.

Fill glass bowl with water, about 3/4 full. Place pumpkins in water. Float few leaves on water. Light candles.