Making ice luminaries is easy and fun. Try a few and make use of this cold weather while it lasts! It might even inspire you to have friends over for a backyard bonfire before winter's over. They look best in groupings, so make a variety using whatever empty containers you have on hand. You can add flowers, fruit, rocks, shells, glitter, sticks... let your creative juices flow!

Allow a few days to complete the following steps, unless it's really cold outside.

1. Begin with a pot or a bucket. Fill it about halfway with water. You might want to add some food coloring or items that would float, like fruit or pine needles at this point. I wanted it to freeze quickly, so I added ice cubes. They still looked like ice cubes when I was done, so I'd only suggest adding interesting-shaped cubes! Now set the pot outside to freeze.
2. When the bottom layer is frozen, place a can (label removed) full of rocks in the center and fill the surrounding area with water to the top of the can. You can add food color again or items that sink, like rocks or marbles, to have them freeze in the center of the luminary. Place the container outside again to freeze the top layer.
3. When you've got solid ice, bring the container inside to thaw a bit. Remove the rocks from the inner can, if possible, and fill it with hot water. When it's loose, remove it from the ice. Now flip the container and remove your luminary. Rinse off any snow to get the ice nice and clear and place the luminary outside.
4. Place a candle inside and enjoy!

I was surprised at how beautiful my plain luminaries turned out. Now I'm ready to try ones with some sticks poking up or some lemon slices frozen in the middle.

2/23/08 NEWS FLASH! If you leave the container outside for too long, the bottom might get deformed by the ice. Use a plastic container and not your favorite pot. (I suppose my pickling pot will still work even if its bottom is no longer completely flat!)