🍲 At the Clay Café ☕️ | A Relaxing Pottery or Ceramic Painting Story for Sleep

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00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:07,590
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

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00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,050
narrate, and design the
soundscape of this village of

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00:00:12,060 --> 00:00:15,800
cozy stories to relax and
unwind.

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00:00:16,830 --> 00:00:20,200
Each week I share an original
story.

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Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

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reading.
I also create micro experiences

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inspired by the stories you
hear.

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These are short, gentle reading
moments designed to help you

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slow down and rest in the
village for as long as you like.

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They're available now to enjoy
on screen or on paper,

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individually or in small bundles
through the slow life.ca under

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the Shop tab.
Let's settle in with some easy

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breathing at your own pace.
With each inhale, let fresh air

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fill the space around your
heart.

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With each exhale, feel the calm
air spread through your body and

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flow out through your arms and
legs, gently in through your

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heart.
Gently out through your body, in

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through your heart, out through
your body.

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And now let's begin.
This story is called At the Clay

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Cafe, and it's about a day
circled on the calendar shelves

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00:02:00,540 --> 00:02:04,520
of possibilities and nourishing
the soul.

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00:02:08,139 --> 00:02:12,960
I stand in my kitchen and look
at the calendar on the wall.

23
00:02:13,630 --> 00:02:19,710
It's generous squares designed
to hold both plans and pauses.

24
00:02:21,390 --> 00:02:26,800
A few days are marked with
practical notes, appointments,

25
00:02:27,010 --> 00:02:29,890
reminders of which groceries to
buy.

26
00:02:31,130 --> 00:02:36,620
But today has a circle around
it, drawn weeks ago with the

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00:02:36,630 --> 00:02:40,080
words Clay Cafe written inside
it.

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00:02:41,730 --> 00:02:46,580
Reading the words more than once
let's the pleasure of seeing

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00:02:46,590 --> 00:02:52,540
time set aside for something we
planned only for enjoyment sink

30
00:02:52,550 --> 00:02:57,400
in.
I make another cup of tea while

31
00:02:57,410 --> 00:03:03,820
picturing shelves of unfinished
ceramics, jars of brushes, and

32
00:03:03,830 --> 00:03:07,760
the comfort of sitting at a
table with people who know me

33
00:03:07,770 --> 00:03:13,740
well enough to play with.
When it's time to go, I gather

34
00:03:13,750 --> 00:03:18,920
my bag and keys and step out
into the afternoon that's just

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00:03:18,930 --> 00:03:23,890
begun.
The painted handle sits one

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00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:29,250
street over from the main
stretch of shops, tucked in to a

37
00:03:29,260 --> 00:03:34,850
renovated brick building with
tall windows bearing the cafes

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00:03:34,860 --> 00:03:40,200
name.
When I step inside, I'm greeted

39
00:03:40,210 --> 00:03:47,200
by warm air that smells faintly
of clay and coffee, by shelves

40
00:03:47,450 --> 00:03:53,050
just as I had imagined, lined
with pale forms, and by the

41
00:03:53,060 --> 00:04:00,160
gentle hum of quiet creation.
My friends are all ready here,

42
00:04:00,250 --> 00:04:05,740
gathered around a long wooden
table near the back, drinks in

43
00:04:05,750 --> 00:04:11,660
hand, paint palettes laid out
for our artistic afternoon, and

44
00:04:11,670 --> 00:04:17,610
I joined them easily, setting my
bag beneath my chair.

45
00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,910
A drink is brought to me before
I'm even sitting down.

46
00:04:23,790 --> 00:04:28,660
I wrapped my hands around it,
scanning my friends to see who

47
00:04:28,670 --> 00:04:34,340
knew just what I wanted.
She winks, and I smile, a thank

48
00:04:34,350 --> 00:04:39,780
you in return.
We sit together, catching up for

49
00:04:39,790 --> 00:04:43,510
a moment, breathing in the calm
of the space.

50
00:04:45,550 --> 00:04:50,380
When we rise to browse, two of
my friends drift towards the

51
00:04:50,390 --> 00:04:56,440
mugs, lifting them, testing
their sighs and weight, peering

52
00:04:56,450 --> 00:05:00,160
inside, chatting about morning
routines.

53
00:05:01,860 --> 00:05:07,940
I move more slowly, touching
rims, lifting pieces, setting

54
00:05:07,950 --> 00:05:13,050
them back, letting each
possibility filter through me

55
00:05:13,090 --> 00:05:15,560
without forcing a quick
decision.

56
00:05:17,210 --> 00:05:23,680
I pass shallow bowls and tall
vases, paused briefly at a small

57
00:05:23,690 --> 00:05:30,700
teapot, consider a trinket dish,
and then halfway down the middle

58
00:05:30,710 --> 00:05:34,050
shelf, I see the perfect fit for
me.

59
00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:41,290
A2 handled soup bowl.
Wide and sturdy, its handles

60
00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:47,880
curving outward like wings.
Heavier than it looks, solid in

61
00:05:47,890 --> 00:05:53,750
my hands when I lift it, and as
soon as I do, a memory from not

62
00:05:53,760 --> 00:06:00,070
so long ago unfolds.
A restaurant with this same

63
00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:05,270
combination of friends.
A deep brown crock placed

64
00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:11,710
carefully in front of me, filled
with French onion soup, dark and

65
00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:18,310
rich golden bread resting
within, steam rising gently as I

66
00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,190
said, just breathing in the
scent.

67
00:06:22,930 --> 00:06:27,360
I had rested my hands near the
bowl and could feel the heat

68
00:06:27,370 --> 00:06:30,470
emanating from it in all
directions.

69
00:06:32,130 --> 00:06:36,400
I had taken my time dipping
through the surface with my

70
00:06:36,410 --> 00:06:41,990
spoon, grateful not only for the
food but for the feeling of

71
00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:47,200
comfort it offered.
Bringing myself back to the

72
00:06:47,210 --> 00:06:51,740
present, I feel this bowl
carries that same promise.

73
00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:57,950
I carry it to the table,
cradling it as if it already

74
00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:02,150
holds a thick soup I can taste
with all my senses.

75
00:07:03,940 --> 00:07:09,230
Our other friend has chosen A
shallow serving dish, wide and

76
00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:14,150
elegant, meant for sharing, and
they run their hand across it

77
00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,750
thoughtfully, telling us it will
soon be filled with roasted

78
00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:24,250
vegetables or sliced bread or
something sweet, arranged just

79
00:07:24,260 --> 00:07:27,610
so for one of our gatherings
coming up.

80
00:07:29,490 --> 00:07:34,630
We settle into our places,
opening paint chairs, rinsing

81
00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:39,880
brushes, folding paper towels,
moving with the easy

82
00:07:39,890 --> 00:07:45,180
coordination that comes not from
the task at hand, but from

83
00:07:45,190 --> 00:07:51,240
knowing each other well.
I turned my bowl in my hands,

84
00:07:51,470 --> 00:07:57,760
noticing the smooth interior and
the waiting surface outside, and

85
00:07:57,770 --> 00:08:04,160
begin with a soft cream base
working in thin layers, wanting

86
00:08:04,170 --> 00:08:08,260
it to be beautiful to look at
without too much clutter.

87
00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,000
Colours bloom on all sides of
the table.

88
00:08:13,820 --> 00:08:17,990
Burgundy flowers appear on the
handle of one mug.

89
00:08:18,950 --> 00:08:24,760
Gentle stripes wrap around
another, gold leaves and winding

90
00:08:24,770 --> 00:08:30,100
stems spread across the serving
dish, and we sipped our drinks,

91
00:08:31,190 --> 00:08:36,150
glance at one another's work,
content in our absorption.

92
00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:43,299
I add colour to my bowl.
A corn flour blue along the rim,

93
00:08:44,020 --> 00:08:46,840
a faded burnt orange near the
base.

94
00:08:47,610 --> 00:08:53,600
Beige shadows near the handles,
shaping something that feels

95
00:08:53,610 --> 00:08:59,410
like it will still feel right
years from now as I paint.

96
00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:05,050
I imagine filling it with soup,
feeling the heat reach my hands

97
00:09:05,260 --> 00:09:09,260
while I carry it to the Bistro
table and my breakfast nook.

98
00:09:11,030 --> 00:09:16,520
Across from me, one friend hums
softly without realizing.

99
00:09:18,010 --> 00:09:22,950
Another leans close to steady
her hand, and the friend with

100
00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:28,310
the serving dish turns their
work, often tilting it this way

101
00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,820
and that to check their
progress.

102
00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:38,030
I continue on carefully enjoying
the thought of making something

103
00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,890
today that could be used for
years to come.

104
00:09:43,090 --> 00:09:47,980
This ball will hold something
nourishing, just like this time

105
00:09:47,990 --> 00:09:52,220
spent together in creativity
that nourishes our

106
00:09:52,230 --> 00:09:56,810
relationships.
We order another round of

107
00:09:56,820 --> 00:10:02,130
drinks, rinse brushes, add
details that we think of on the

108
00:10:02,140 --> 00:10:08,100
spot and just before I decide
I'm finished, I lower a small

109
00:10:08,110 --> 00:10:14,460
brush into my bowl and paint 4
tiny blue hearts and trim them

110
00:10:14,470 --> 00:10:18,290
with gold.
When I'm taking my last

111
00:10:18,300 --> 00:10:23,890
spoonfuls of homemade French
onion soup or my mum's chowder

112
00:10:23,900 --> 00:10:29,210
recipe, I'll be reminded of the
ones I shared this day with.

113
00:10:30,980 --> 00:10:34,970
When we're finished, we write
our names and circle pick up

114
00:10:34,980 --> 00:10:40,370
times, knowing that in two days
everything will be hardened and

115
00:10:40,380 --> 00:10:46,130
made permanent.
We leave the cafe, stepping back

116
00:10:46,140 --> 00:10:51,470
into the rest of our day with
paint spotted fingers and happy

117
00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:57,110
hearts.
In two days I will return, lift

118
00:10:57,120 --> 00:11:02,010
my bowl again, feel its weight
and noose smooth surface.

119
00:11:02,930 --> 00:11:07,260
I'll take it home and one
evening I'll fill it with soup

120
00:11:07,310 --> 00:11:12,340
and bread and sit at my table
with my hands wrapped around it.

121
00:11:13,890 --> 00:11:19,740
The warmth will move in to me as
I remember this day circled on

122
00:11:19,750 --> 00:11:25,790
my calendar, the brushes, the
shared table, and the way

123
00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:30,890
putting care into something
today becomes a way of caring

124
00:11:30,900 --> 00:11:43,840
for yourself to Morrow.
At the Clay Cafe, I stand in my

125
00:11:43,850 --> 00:11:47,440
kitchen and look at the calendar
on the wall.

126
00:11:48,090 --> 00:11:54,170
It's generous squares designed
to hold both plans and pauses.

127
00:11:55,860 --> 00:12:01,260
A few days are marked with
practical notes, appointments,

128
00:12:01,470 --> 00:12:04,350
reminders of which groceries to
buy.

129
00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:11,090
But today has a circle around
it, drawn weeks ago with the

130
00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:14,540
words Clay Cafe written inside
it.

131
00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:21,050
Reading the words more than once
let's the pleasure of seeing

132
00:12:21,060 --> 00:12:27,010
time set aside for something we
planned only for enjoyment sink

133
00:12:27,020 --> 00:12:31,870
in.
I make another cup of tea while

134
00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:38,280
picturing shelves of unfinished
ceramics, jars of brushes, and

135
00:12:38,290 --> 00:12:42,230
the comfort of sitting at a
table with people who know me

136
00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:48,200
well enough to play with.
When it's time to go, I gather

137
00:12:48,210 --> 00:12:53,380
my bag and keys and step out
into the afternoon that's just

138
00:12:53,390 --> 00:12:58,350
begun.
The painted handle sits one

139
00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:03,720
street over from the main
stretch of shops, tucked into a

140
00:13:03,730 --> 00:13:09,320
renovated brick building with
tall windows bearing the cafes

141
00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:14,660
name.
When I step inside, I'm greeted

142
00:13:14,670 --> 00:13:21,670
by warm air that smells faintly
of clay and coffee, by shelves

143
00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:27,520
just as I had imagined, lined
with pale forms, and by the

144
00:13:27,530 --> 00:13:34,620
gentle hum of quiet creation.
My friends are all ready here,

145
00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:40,210
gathered around a long wooden
table near the back, drinks in

146
00:13:40,220 --> 00:13:46,130
hand, paint palettes laid out
for our artistic afternoon, and

147
00:13:46,140 --> 00:13:52,080
I joined them easily, setting my
bag beneath my chair.

148
00:13:52,250 --> 00:13:56,380
A drink is brought to me before
I'm even sitting down.

149
00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:03,120
I wrapped my hands around it,
scanning my friends to see who

150
00:14:03,130 --> 00:14:08,800
knew just what I wanted.
She winks, and I smile, a thank

151
00:14:08,810 --> 00:14:14,240
you in return.
We sit together, catching up for

152
00:14:14,250 --> 00:14:17,980
a moment, breathing in the calm
of the space.

153
00:14:20,010 --> 00:14:24,840
When we rise to browse, two of
my friends drift towards the

154
00:14:24,850 --> 00:14:30,910
mugs, lifting them, testing
their sighs and weight, peering

155
00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,620
inside, chatting about morning
routines.

156
00:14:36,340 --> 00:14:42,410
I move more slowly, touching
rims, lifting pieces, setting

157
00:14:42,420 --> 00:14:47,510
them back, letting each
possibility filter through me

158
00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,020
without forcing a quick
decision.

159
00:14:51,670 --> 00:14:58,150
I pass shallow bowls and tall
vases, paused briefly at a small

160
00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:04,720
teapot, consider a trinket dish.
And then half way down the

161
00:15:04,730 --> 00:15:08,520
middle shelf, I see the perfect
fit for me.

162
00:15:09,940 --> 00:15:15,750
A2 handled soup bowl.
Wide and sturdy, its handles

163
00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:22,360
curving outward like wings.
Heavier than it looks, solid in

164
00:15:22,370 --> 00:15:28,210
my hands when I lift it, and as
soon as I do, a memory from not

165
00:15:28,220 --> 00:15:34,530
so long ago unfolds.
A restaurant with this same

166
00:15:34,540 --> 00:15:39,750
combination of friends.
A deep brown crock placed

167
00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:46,190
carefully in front of me, filled
with French onion soup, dark and

168
00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:52,770
rich golden bread resting
within, steam rising gently as I

169
00:15:52,780 --> 00:15:55,660
said, just breathing in the
scent.

170
00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:01,830
I had rested my hands near the
bowl and could feel the heat

171
00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,930
emanating from it in all
directions.

172
00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:10,870
I had taken my time dipping
through the surface with my

173
00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:16,440
spoon, grateful not only for the
food but for the feeling of

174
00:16:16,450 --> 00:16:21,660
comfort it offered.
Bringing myself back to the

175
00:16:21,670 --> 00:16:26,200
present, I feel this bowl
carries that same promise.

176
00:16:27,910 --> 00:16:32,400
I carry it to the table,
cradling it as if it already

177
00:16:32,410 --> 00:16:36,620
holds a thick soup I can taste
with all my senses.

178
00:16:38,390 --> 00:16:43,700
Our other friend has chosen A
shallow serving dish, wide and

179
00:16:43,710 --> 00:16:48,620
elegant, meant for sharing, and
they run their hand across it

180
00:16:48,630 --> 00:16:53,210
thoughtfully, telling us it will
soon be filled with roasted

181
00:16:53,220 --> 00:16:58,710
vegetables or sliced bread or
something sweet, arranged just

182
00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:02,090
so for one of our gatherings
coming up.

183
00:17:03,950 --> 00:17:09,099
We settle into our places,
opening paint jars, rinsing

184
00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:14,339
brushes, folding paper towels,
moving with the easy

185
00:17:14,349 --> 00:17:19,640
coordination that comes not from
the task at hand, but from

186
00:17:19,650 --> 00:17:25,700
knowing each other well.
I turned my bowl in my hands,

187
00:17:25,930 --> 00:17:32,240
noticing the smooth interior and
the waiting surface outside, and

188
00:17:32,250 --> 00:17:38,620
begin with a soft cream base
working in thin layers, wanting

189
00:17:38,630 --> 00:17:42,720
it to be beautiful to look at
without too much clutter.

190
00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:47,460
Colours bloom on all sides of
the table.

191
00:17:48,290 --> 00:17:52,450
Burgundy flowers appear on the
handle of one mug.

192
00:17:53,430 --> 00:17:59,230
Gentle stripes wrap around
another, gold leaves and winding

193
00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:04,570
stems spread across the serving
dish, and we sipped our drinks,

194
00:18:05,650 --> 00:18:10,620
glance at one another's work,
content in our absorption.

195
00:18:12,360 --> 00:18:17,770
I add colour to my bowl.
A corn flour blue along the rim,

196
00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:21,310
a faded burnt orange near the
base.

197
00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:28,060
Beige shadows near the handles,
shaping something that feels

198
00:18:28,070 --> 00:18:33,890
like it will still feel right
years from now as I paint.

199
00:18:33,940 --> 00:18:38,760
I imagine filling it with soup,
feeling the heat reached my

200
00:18:38,770 --> 00:18:43,460
hands while I carry it to the
Bistro table and my breakfast

201
00:18:43,470 --> 00:18:48,800
nook.
Across from me, one friend hums

202
00:18:48,810 --> 00:18:54,930
softly without realizing.
Another leans close to steady

203
00:18:54,940 --> 00:18:59,370
her hand, and the friend with
the serving dish turns their

204
00:18:59,380 --> 00:19:04,470
work, often tilting it this way
and that to check their

205
00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:10,380
progress.
I continue on carefully enjoying

206
00:19:10,390 --> 00:19:15,130
the thought of making something
today that could be used for

207
00:19:15,140 --> 00:19:19,590
years to come.
This ball will hold something

208
00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:25,110
nourishing, just like this time
spent together in creativity

209
00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:27,900
that nourishes our
relationships.

210
00:19:29,350 --> 00:19:34,320
We order another round of
drinks, rinse brushes, add

211
00:19:34,330 --> 00:19:40,060
details that we think of on the
spot, and just before I decide

212
00:19:40,070 --> 00:19:45,940
I'm finished, I lower a small
brush into my bowl and paint 4

213
00:19:45,950 --> 00:19:49,740
tiny blue hearts and trim them
with gold.

214
00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:55,290
When I'm taking my last
spoonfuls of homemade French

215
00:19:55,300 --> 00:20:01,550
onion soup or my man's chowder
recipe, I'll be reminded of the

216
00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:07,220
ones I shared this day with.
When we're finished, we write

217
00:20:07,230 --> 00:20:12,700
our names and circle pick up
times, knowing that in two days

218
00:20:12,750 --> 00:20:15,920
everything will be hardened and
made permanent.

219
00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:23,270
We leave the cafe, stepping back
into the rest of our day with

220
00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,570
paint spotted fingers and happy
hearts.

221
00:20:28,070 --> 00:20:34,460
In two days I will return, lift
my bowl again, feel its weight

222
00:20:34,470 --> 00:20:39,360
and noose smooth surface.
I'll take it home and one

223
00:20:39,370 --> 00:20:44,690
evening I'll fill it with soup
and bread and sit at my table

224
00:20:44,700 --> 00:20:51,280
with my hands wrapped around it.
The warmth will move in to me as

225
00:20:51,290 --> 00:20:57,590
I remember this day circled on
my calendar, the brushes, the

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shared table, and the way
putting care into something

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today becomes a way of caring
for yourself to Morrow.

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I wish you sweet dreams.