A spooky night in

A spooky night in

There’s a certain kind of magic that casts itself over October evenings, the air turns crisp, candles flicker, and there’s this perfect excuse to slow down and lean into cosiness. The other night, with the faint sound of rain outside we decided to stay in. No fuss, no fancy plans. Just a cozy, spooky night in… the kind that feels like a warm hug.

My man, my sister, and I all gathered around the kitchen table, each with our own pumpkin and a competitive sense of artistry. We had our spooky halloween playlist humming softly,  a blend of Ella and Etta.  The table was scattered with half-hearted sketches of what our pumpkin “masterpieces” could potentially  become.

He dove in first, confident and steady, the pumpkin whisperer, he decided to do a Mike Wazowski inspired pumpkin.  My sister carved something well, let's just say something to her taste. And mine… well, let’s just say it had personality. It was a cute little cat. There’s beauty in the imperfect, isn’t there?

While the pumpkins came to life, I added milk chocolate in a pan, stirring until it had melted, I added a touch of sea salt, and enough milk to fill our mugs.  The smell alone could have made anyone swoon. To top it off i added whipped cream, toasted marshmallows, and a chocolate flake.

We sat there afterward, pumpkins glowing softly from the tealights, enjoying and laughing at our creations. Chocolate in our bellies, laughter in the air, and that feeling. That deeply content, quietly joyful feeling, that sneaks up on you when you realize you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. I am so lucky to have my man and my family, I love them so deeply.

That’s what I love most about this season. The invitation to pause. To savor. To turn the simple act of staying in into something unforgettable.

So here’s to your own version of a spooky night in. Carve the pumpkins, melt the chocolate, light the candles. Let the night be messy and magical and completely your own.

With love,

Anaia Jonas Xx