Natural beauty: the warm colors and organic shapes of pumpkins and other late-season vegetables are perfect for decorating.

I've always loved pumpkins, squashes, and gourds that come in many Colors, shapes, and sizes. They are a welcome sight stacked in giant orange mountains or in rows interspersed with colorful mums at roadside fruit and vegetable stands.

Maybe my fondness of pumpkins stems from memories of the pumpkin coaches pulled by plastic ponies attached with ribbons or the painted black cat faces complete with ears and whiskers created by my daughter at various stages of her life. It could also be thoughts of toasting pumpkin seeds and tasting pumpkin bread warm from the oven made from the removed pulp of a carved pumpkin.

Pumpkins are so versatile. They can become a smiling face with a funny grin, a coach for a small princess, or a tasteful table arrangement. Anyone can easily line them down the table with a few turning leaves, berries, candlesticks, and ivy and have a beautiful fall tablescape. Small hollowed-out pumpkins make wonderful soup bowls or can be embellished with gold, silver, or bronze paint for a very elegant display. Add fruit, flowers, berries, and vines, and create a harvest table to coordinate with any china. In cool conditions, pumpkins that have not been cut will last for several months.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG CAMPBELL