A few years ago, a reader wrote asking if I knew of any unusual Halloween decorations using natural materials. I sure do!

One of my favorite decorations for Halloween is to make floating pumpkin candles. We put them on our harvest dinner table in blue glass bowls filled with water, where they float and they look just beautiful.

Here's how to make your own:

Food markets that carry local harvest produce often offer miniature pumpkins. They are 3"-4" across. Buy six to eight of these pumpkins, and the same number of votive candles (pure beeswax votives, if you can find them). Hold a votive candle over the top of the pumpkin and trace a circle around it. Using a knife, carefully cut out the circle so that a votive candle will fit into the hole snugly. Repeat with all the candles. Fill bowls or pails with water, light the candles and float the pumpkins in the water.