This has been a tradition for me for the last seven years. It got rave reviews last year, so I thought I'd post a step-by-step for you with the 2008 pot de spice.
1. Find an interesting pumpkin. 
2. Cut out the bottom. Really, anytime you carve a pumpkin, it should be the bottom, not the top, that is cut out. Wow, that pumpkin looks dirty! I did clean it later.
3. Clean it out (letting your kids play with the insides is optional) and carve whatever you want into it. Leaves, a face if you want to go traditional, a pattern of some type, anything. I like to just do some simple circles, ala my apple corer.
There you go.
4. Gather your pumpkin pie spices, and sprinkle them into the inside of the pumpkin. Mostly just the top.
Firmly press the spices into the pumpkin's skin. Try to just press, not rub, or they come off. Shake it over the trash to get rid of any chunks of spice that do rub off, so they don't fall into the candle later.
5. Spread Vaseline over any edges you cut, and they will stay nicer longer.
6. Find a nice plate or something to set the pumpkin on. Place your candle under the pumpkin.
7. Light it and enjoy. Here it is in my bathroom. (The only place I could get a little darkness.) 
And yes, it smells exactly like you're baking pumpkin pie.
To see how this fits into our Hallowedween, see this post for a great object lesson, over at Home Schoolin' Mamas.
2. Cut out the bottom. Really, anytime you carve a pumpkin, it should be the bottom, not the top, that is cut out. Wow, that pumpkin looks dirty! I did clean it later. 3. Clean it out (letting your kids play with the insides is optional) and carve whatever you want into it. Leaves, a face if you want to go traditional, a pattern of some type, anything. I like to just do some simple circles, ala my apple corer.
There you go.4. Gather your pumpkin pie spices, and sprinkle them into the inside of the pumpkin. Mostly just the top.
Firmly press the spices into the pumpkin's skin. Try to just press, not rub, or they come off. Shake it over the trash to get rid of any chunks of spice that do rub off, so they don't fall into the candle later.
5. Spread Vaseline over any edges you cut, and they will stay nicer longer.
6. Find a nice plate or something to set the pumpkin on. Place your candle under the pumpkin.
7. Light it and enjoy. Here it is in my bathroom. (The only place I could get a little darkness.) And yes, it smells exactly like you're baking pumpkin pie.
To see how this fits into our Hallowedween, see this post for a great object lesson, over at Home Schoolin' Mamas.
16 comments:
Yummy! I may have to try that! Then I'll want to eat some pie though!!! I saw you guys from a distance at story time. . .I recognized the cute kids :)
What a GREAT idea!!! I can't wait to try this!
Okay, this confirms it. I want to move to SD and be your friend so you can teach me all these wonderful things. You are so stinkin' creative and smart! Thanks for sharing this idea with us. Will be doing this one tonight.
oh, no, no! this is totally a martha idea from waaaay back! i have few creative skills of my own, dog, seriously.
Megan
Yay! I love it. Well done Megan...see they might not all be your ideas but at least your doing them...unlike me. SLACKER. :) Happy Friday!
-A
that is super wicked cool...i may have to do this!
I know what I'll be doing as soon as I get of work today. I can't stand the taste of pumpkin pie but I love the smell. As always, great idea. Thanks for sharing it.
I am trying this today! I love it!
What a fun idea! I just have one question, though. How long can you keep the pumpkin out before it rots. Is this just a one day kind of thing? Actually I have two questions. Do you use an unscented candle?
Terrific idea, btw!
I.Love.This.
that is so neat! how long will the pumpkin last?
That's adorable! What a great idea.
Annika
i'm glad you all love the pumpkin spice action!
ANSWERS:
i never use a scented candle, but vanilla would be a VERY nice compliment to this, i'm sure- and also, once a long time ago i used a spicy votive i'd gotten as a wedding present and it really bumped up the smell, of course.
mine always last about a week before they start to turn. if you burn it constantly, i bet it will last fewer days, but i usually burn mine a couple of hours a day or so.
Megan
Thank you for that great idea... I love it....can't wait to try it.
I've said it many times...you are an amazing gal.
Ooooh ... I like this. Really like it. As in I'll be trying it as soon as I buy a pumpkin. (And then roasting the seeds, just to complete my week.)
Thanks for yet another fun decoration idea! Have a fantastic week!
Right, so after I commented on Monday, I actually DID go out and buy a pumpkin ... and then last night I lit my brand-new spice pot and proceeded to torture the girls that had come over to watch a movie. (It might not have been so bad, but our food hadn't gotten there yet.)
And so I continue to love your decor ideas ... More, please! :)
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