Settled in for a snooze

A sleepy owl is simply carved from an oval-shaped pumpkin to make a charming garden decoration. First, the top of the squash is sliced off and the seeds and inner flesh scooped away. This can be set aside and used for planting or, alternatively, to make a soup. Next, the outline of the eyes and beak are scored into the skin and a metal spoon used to dig it out. A sharp knife is employed to carefully cut out V shapes for the eyes, the triangles which form the chest feathers and long slices to indicate the wings. The owl is put to roost in a nest of twigs, arranged within an old bird bath in the garden.