🍁🎃 Fall Festival — A Cozy Autumn Story The Slow Life Village

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00:00:02,060 --> 00:00:07,570
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

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00:00:07,620 --> 00:00:12,030
narrate and design the
soundscape of this village of

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00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:15,800
cosy stories to relax and
unwind.

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00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,170
Each week I share an original
story.

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00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:25,330
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

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00:00:25,340 --> 00:00:29,030
reading.
I'm happy to announce my

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00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:36,230
website, theslowlife.ca.
It provides a space where we can

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00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,630
connect and I can bring you all
things cozy.

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00:00:43,030 --> 00:00:47,670
Let's settle in with some easy
breathing at your own pace.

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00:00:48,770 --> 00:00:53,820
With each inhale, let fresh air
fill the space around your

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00:00:53,830 --> 00:00:58,820
heart.
With each exhale, feel the calm

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00:00:58,830 --> 00:01:04,420
air spread through your body and
flow out through your arms and

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00:01:04,430 --> 00:01:09,050
legs, gently in through your
heart.

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00:01:10,990 --> 00:01:21,520
Gently out through your body, in
through your heart, out through

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00:01:21,530 --> 00:01:27,340
your body.
And now let's begin.

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00:01:30,780 --> 00:01:35,470
This story is called Fall
Festival and it's about

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00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:41,230
gatherings and offerings, the
company of friends and sitting

18
00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,160
in a plush seat at the end of
the day.

19
00:01:47,660 --> 00:01:52,030
Although the official event will
take place over the next two

20
00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,950
weekends, this whole season
feels like a fall festival.

21
00:01:57,040 --> 00:02:03,220
Every day the changing leaves
are in full swing here in the

22
00:02:03,230 --> 00:02:06,930
village.
Red and gold layered with the

23
00:02:06,940 --> 00:02:12,080
last of summer's green.
The ground is already covered

24
00:02:12,090 --> 00:02:16,520
with so many, it's a wonder
there are any left hanging on

25
00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:21,040
above us.
They collect along curbs and

26
00:02:21,050 --> 00:02:27,260
steps, and I watched them slide,
lift and roll as tumbleweeds as

27
00:02:27,270 --> 00:02:31,590
I walked towards the village
square where the gathering and

28
00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:34,820
festivities spread out in every
direction.

29
00:02:36,460 --> 00:02:41,770
The scarecrows still stand and
sit on front lawns and benches

30
00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:46,710
and have become a familiar part
of the scenery, like the

31
00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:51,110
pumpkins stacked along
storefronts and the corn stocks

32
00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:57,720
tied to railings and mailboxes.
Music drifts around from

33
00:02:57,730 --> 00:03:02,130
somewhere close.
I can't see the source, but I

34
00:03:02,140 --> 00:03:06,500
hear a fiddle warming up and a
guitar doing the same.

35
00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:13,360
Stands have been set up bright
with produce and preserves,

36
00:03:13,910 --> 00:03:17,760
others with pottery and other
handmade crafts.

37
00:03:19,340 --> 00:03:23,950
When I see some friends in front
of the library they tell me

38
00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:28,630
they've just arrived as well, so
I joined the group for some

39
00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:33,310
company.
During the festival, lots of

40
00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:38,130
venues host activities or
offerings inside and out.

41
00:03:39,050 --> 00:03:44,370
Beside us, tables are arranged
along the front walk with book

42
00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:47,970
bundles tied in twine.
Free to take.

43
00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:54,810
I find a collection of autumn
themed recipe books, one being

44
00:03:54,820 --> 00:03:59,760
cozy drinks that I'll have some
fun with inside.

45
00:03:59,770 --> 00:04:03,040
The quiet murmur of voices fills
the space.

46
00:04:04,190 --> 00:04:09,630
A watercolor workshop is under
way in the reading room, people

47
00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:14,690
decorating small squares of
paper, painting autumn leaves

48
00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:17,670
and trees from the windows just
beyond them.

49
00:04:19,209 --> 00:04:23,360
Upstairs, a local historian
presents a photo exhibit.

50
00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:29,730
Village scenes from decades ago.
The same buildings and streets,

51
00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:34,630
though much simpler.
Still smiling faces enjoying a

52
00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:39,790
fall day.
Just as we are back outside, we

53
00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:44,910
hear the community centre is now
open beside the front doors.

54
00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:48,180
They've set up a beautiful scene
for photos.

55
00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:53,030
It looks like a corner in a
living room done up.

56
00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:59,080
So cozy with plush chairs of
deep orange velvet, floor lamps

57
00:04:59,090 --> 00:05:04,460
with stained glass shades mixed
with outdoor elements of fall

58
00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:09,820
foliage, tall stocks and
barrels, and gourds and pumpkins

59
00:05:09,830 --> 00:05:12,070
placed beautifully around the
set.

60
00:05:13,420 --> 00:05:18,030
Inside the centre, tables are
covered with newspapers and

61
00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:23,380
carving tools.
Pumpkins ready to be carved wait

62
00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:28,980
on the floor in neat rows, some
pre marked with designs for

63
00:05:28,990 --> 00:05:31,430
those wanting some creative
help.

64
00:05:32,830 --> 00:05:37,440
Folks have started and I see
elaborate trailing vines and

65
00:05:37,450 --> 00:05:42,190
stars, while others are simpler
faces or patterns.

66
00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:50,400
We join in and I curve mine to
have cat ears and Whiskers were

67
00:05:50,410 --> 00:05:54,760
invited to add the seeds to the
bowls in the kitchen where

68
00:05:54,770 --> 00:05:58,070
volunteers roast them for salted
snacks.

69
00:05:59,340 --> 00:06:04,560
We each take a paper cup of
seeds already roasted and wonder

70
00:06:04,570 --> 00:06:10,140
to see what's next.
The Pottery Cafe is one of the

71
00:06:10,150 --> 00:06:14,910
busiest spots.
Tables have been set up both

72
00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:20,550
inside and out under strings of
patio lanterns, the colours of

73
00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,710
the leaves about to let go of
their branches.

74
00:06:25,460 --> 00:06:30,150
The staff have filled baskets
with small clay pumpkins for

75
00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:36,030
people to paint and take home.
There are jars of brushes and

76
00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:41,770
palettes of glaze, warm
terracottas, creams, mossy

77
00:06:41,780 --> 00:06:46,300
greens but also colours that are
just fun to play with.

78
00:06:48,150 --> 00:06:53,560
Some visitors seem to have done
this before, layering colours,

79
00:06:53,950 --> 00:06:58,960
while others chat softly and ask
for tips on making it look its

80
00:06:58,970 --> 00:07:03,870
best.
I decide on deep purple with a

81
00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:08,880
golden stem.
I like how it turns out and will

82
00:07:08,890 --> 00:07:14,990
be proud to display it at home.
Finished pieces are carried

83
00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:21,430
inside to dry on the counter.
Through the open door, I can see

84
00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:27,220
shelves of newly glazed mugs
waiting for the kiln, each one

85
00:07:27,230 --> 00:07:29,660
marked with initials at its
base.

86
00:07:31,140 --> 00:07:34,970
We will return to each spot to
pick up what we've made at the

87
00:07:34,980 --> 00:07:40,270
end of the day.
At the bakery beside the cafe,

88
00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:44,550
long wooden tables have been
pulled into the square for

89
00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:49,640
cookie decorating.
The staff bring out trays of

90
00:07:49,650 --> 00:07:54,720
pumpkin spice cookies and shapes
of leaves, pumpkins and

91
00:07:54,730 --> 00:07:59,960
scarecrows.
Bowls of icing and sprinkles are

92
00:07:59,970 --> 00:08:05,440
set out between plates, and the
air smells faintly of cinnamon

93
00:08:05,510 --> 00:08:10,480
and sugar.
A few people linger with coffee

94
00:08:10,490 --> 00:08:15,740
cups, watching others decorate
before wrapping their cookies in

95
00:08:15,750 --> 00:08:18,450
parchment paper to save for
later.

96
00:08:20,370 --> 00:08:24,540
The movie theatre has been drawn
into the festival too.

97
00:08:25,310 --> 00:08:30,440
Posters in the window advertise
a series of classic films

98
00:08:30,690 --> 00:08:36,960
showing each afternoon and
evening, comforting ones full of

99
00:08:36,970 --> 00:08:39,970
autumn light and small towns
scenes.

100
00:08:41,590 --> 00:08:46,980
The scent of popcorn reaches us
in the cool air, and we decide

101
00:08:46,990 --> 00:08:50,650
to come back for a show to night
when we're ready to sit.

102
00:08:52,310 --> 00:08:57,000
The farmers market building,
normally open once a week, has

103
00:08:57,010 --> 00:08:59,750
become the festival's steady
anchor.

104
00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,110
For both weekends.
It's filled with growers and

105
00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:10,210
makers, the aisles bright with
squash preserves, dried herbs,

106
00:09:10,260 --> 00:09:13,890
bees, wax candles and hand knit
scarves.

107
00:09:15,230 --> 00:09:19,780
We're met with a mix of
sweetness and something savoury

108
00:09:19,790 --> 00:09:25,940
from the food stalls throughout.
There's a corner for tasting and

109
00:09:25,950 --> 00:09:31,280
we're up for a bite to eat.
We sample cheese, pickled

110
00:09:31,290 --> 00:09:36,880
vegetables, small cups of cider
and other goodies made for the

111
00:09:36,890 --> 00:09:41,520
season.
We continue strolling on,

112
00:09:41,810 --> 00:09:47,660
noticing familiar faces and new
ones, all exchanging smiles.

113
00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:54,270
Feeling energized from the
snack, we walk out the street to

114
00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:59,120
the end and follow the gravel
path towards the apple orchard,

115
00:09:59,500 --> 00:10:02,850
where the trees stretch and rose
across the hill.

116
00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:10,340
People move quietly among them,
baskets looped over their arms,

117
00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:14,420
the apples shining red and pale
gold within.

118
00:10:15,740 --> 00:10:21,510
We pick only a few each what
we're able to carry in our bags

119
00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:26,850
and munching one along the way
at the exit.

120
00:10:26,860 --> 00:10:31,970
Assign lists upcoming events for
this weekend and next.

121
00:10:33,170 --> 00:10:36,620
Sighed.
Or pressing a fall wreath making

122
00:10:36,630 --> 00:10:41,630
workshop and a twilight bonfire
with local musicians.

123
00:10:43,250 --> 00:10:49,300
We all feel ready now to sit and
relax, so we make our way back

124
00:10:49,310 --> 00:10:55,580
to the movie theatre with
covered cups of apple cider and

125
00:10:55,590 --> 00:11:00,980
bags of caramel popcorn.
We settle in to the plush seats

126
00:11:01,150 --> 00:11:11,560
to enjoy a cozy film at the end
of this perfect Autumn day Fall

127
00:11:11,570 --> 00:11:18,290
Festival.
Although the official event will

128
00:11:18,300 --> 00:11:23,090
take place over the next two
weekends, this whole season

129
00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:29,400
feels like a fall festival.
Every day the changing leaves

130
00:11:29,410 --> 00:11:32,150
are in full swing here in the
village.

131
00:11:32,890 --> 00:11:37,110
Red and gold layered with the
last of summer's green.

132
00:11:38,370 --> 00:11:42,860
The ground is already covered
with so many, it's a wonder

133
00:11:42,870 --> 00:11:45,710
there are any left hanging on
above us.

134
00:11:47,030 --> 00:11:52,240
They collect along curbs and
steps, and I watched them slide,

135
00:11:52,290 --> 00:11:57,320
lift and roll as tumbleweeds as
I walked towards the village

136
00:11:57,330 --> 00:12:02,360
square, where the gathering and
festivities spread out in every

137
00:12:02,370 --> 00:12:07,230
direction.
The scarecrows still stand and

138
00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:12,870
sit on front lawns and benches
and have become a familiar part

139
00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:17,230
of the scenery, like the
pumpkins stacked along store

140
00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:22,140
fronts and the corn stalks tied
to railings and mailboxes.

141
00:12:24,010 --> 00:12:27,250
Music drifts around from
somewhere close.

142
00:12:27,970 --> 00:12:33,100
I can't see the source, but I
hear a fiddle warming up and a

143
00:12:33,110 --> 00:12:39,560
guitar doing the same.
Stands have been set up bright

144
00:12:39,570 --> 00:12:44,520
with produce and preserves,
others with pottery and other

145
00:12:44,530 --> 00:12:49,920
handmade crafts.
When I see some friends in front

146
00:12:49,930 --> 00:12:55,200
of the library they tell me
they've just arrived as well, so

147
00:12:55,210 --> 00:12:57,600
I joined the group for some
company.

148
00:12:59,180 --> 00:13:03,970
During the festival, lots of
venues host activities or

149
00:13:03,980 --> 00:13:10,140
offerings inside and out.
Beside us, tables are arranged

150
00:13:10,150 --> 00:13:15,070
along the front walk with book
bundles tied in twine.

151
00:13:15,150 --> 00:13:20,040
Free to take.
I find a collection of autumn

152
00:13:20,050 --> 00:13:25,270
themed recipe books, one being
cozy drinks that I'll have some

153
00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:30,650
fun with inside.
The quiet murmur of voices fills

154
00:13:30,660 --> 00:13:34,940
the space.
A watercolor workshop is under

155
00:13:34,950 --> 00:13:40,220
way in the reading room, people
decorating small squares of

156
00:13:40,230 --> 00:13:45,220
paper, painting autumn leaves
and trees from the windows just

157
00:13:45,230 --> 00:13:49,860
beyond them.
Upstairs, a local historian

158
00:13:49,870 --> 00:13:55,370
presents a photo exhibit.
Village scenes from decades ago.

159
00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:59,870
The same buildings and streets,
though much simpler.

160
00:14:00,300 --> 00:14:03,910
Still smiling faces enjoying a
fall day.

161
00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:10,400
Just as we are back outside, we
hear the community centre is now

162
00:14:10,410 --> 00:14:15,640
open beside the front doors.
They've set up a beautiful scene

163
00:14:15,650 --> 00:14:19,600
for photos.
It looks like a corner in a

164
00:14:19,610 --> 00:14:24,160
living room done up.
So cozy with plush chairs of

165
00:14:24,170 --> 00:14:30,400
deep orange velvet, floor lamps
with stained glass shades mixed

166
00:14:30,410 --> 00:14:35,480
with outdoor elements of fall
foliage, tall stocks and

167
00:14:35,490 --> 00:14:39,940
barrels, and gourds and pumpkins
placed beautifully around the

168
00:14:39,950 --> 00:14:44,130
set.
Inside the centre, tables are

169
00:14:44,140 --> 00:14:47,610
covered with newspapers and
carving tools.

170
00:14:49,010 --> 00:14:54,880
Pumpkins ready to be carved wait
on the floor in neat rows, some

171
00:14:54,890 --> 00:14:59,340
pre marked with designs for
those wanting some creative

172
00:14:59,350 --> 00:15:03,400
help.
Folks have started and I see

173
00:15:03,410 --> 00:15:08,680
elaborate trailing vines and
stars, while others are simpler

174
00:15:08,690 --> 00:15:14,670
faces or patterns.
We join in and I curve mine to

175
00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:20,910
have cat ears and Whiskers were
invited to add the seeds to the

176
00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:25,710
bowls in the kitchen where
volunteers roast them for salted

177
00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:29,780
snacks.
We each take a paper cup of

178
00:15:29,790 --> 00:15:34,360
seeds already roasted and wander
to see what's next.

179
00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,910
The Pottery Cafe is one of the
busiest spots.

180
00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:46,450
Tables have been set up both
inside and out under strings of

181
00:15:46,460 --> 00:15:51,090
patio lanterns, the colours of
the leaves about to let go of

182
00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:56,010
their branches.
The staff have filled baskets

183
00:15:56,020 --> 00:16:00,640
with small clay pumpkins for
people to paint and take home.

184
00:16:02,260 --> 00:16:07,010
There are jars of brushes and
palettes of glaze, warm

185
00:16:07,020 --> 00:16:12,930
terracottas, creams, mossy
greens but also colours that are

186
00:16:12,940 --> 00:16:18,740
just fun to play with.
Some visitors seem to have done

187
00:16:18,750 --> 00:16:25,120
this before, layering colours,
while others chat softly and ask

188
00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:27,850
for tips on making it look its
best.

189
00:16:29,580 --> 00:16:33,410
I decide on deep purple with a
golden stem.

190
00:16:34,910 --> 00:16:39,610
I like how it turns out and will
be proud to display it at home.

191
00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:45,680
Finished pieces are carried
inside to dry on the counter.

192
00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:52,500
Through the open door, I can see
shelves of newly glazed mugs

193
00:16:52,510 --> 00:16:57,520
waiting for the kiln, each one
marked with initials at its

194
00:16:57,530 --> 00:17:01,560
base.
We will return to each spot to

195
00:17:01,570 --> 00:17:04,310
pick up what we've made at the
end of the day.

196
00:17:05,819 --> 00:17:11,050
At the bakery beside the cafe,
long wooden tables have been

197
00:17:11,060 --> 00:17:14,190
pulled into the square for
cookie decorating.

198
00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:20,950
The staff bring out trays of
pumpkin spice cookies and shapes

199
00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:24,040
of leaves, pumpkins and
scarecrows.

200
00:17:25,450 --> 00:17:31,190
Bowls of icing and sprinkles are
set out between plates, and the

201
00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:34,610
air smells faintly of cinnamon
and sugar.

202
00:17:36,290 --> 00:17:41,820
A few people linger with coffee
cups, watching others decorate

203
00:17:41,890 --> 00:17:46,240
before wrapping their cookies in
parchment paper to save for

204
00:17:46,250 --> 00:17:51,140
later.
The movie theatre has been drawn

205
00:17:51,150 --> 00:17:56,470
into the festival too.
Posters in the window advertise

206
00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:01,390
a series of classic films
showing each afternoon and

207
00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:07,650
evening, comforting ones full of
autumn light and small towns

208
00:18:07,660 --> 00:18:12,500
scenes.
The scent of popcorn reaches us

209
00:18:12,510 --> 00:18:17,560
in the cool air, and we decide
to come back for a show to night

210
00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:22,580
when we're ready to sit.
The farmers market building,

211
00:18:22,590 --> 00:18:27,480
normally open once a week, has
become the festival's steady

212
00:18:27,490 --> 00:18:30,530
anchor.
For both weekends.

213
00:18:30,540 --> 00:18:35,090
It's filled with growers and
makers, the aisles bright with

214
00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:41,370
squash preserves, dried herbs,
bees, wax candles and hand knit

215
00:18:41,380 --> 00:18:45,220
scarves.
We're met with a mix of

216
00:18:45,230 --> 00:18:50,180
sweetness and something savoury
from the food stalls throughout.

217
00:18:51,830 --> 00:18:56,260
There's a corner for tasting and
we're up for a bite to eat.

218
00:18:57,210 --> 00:19:03,040
We sample cheese, pickled
vegetables, small cups of cider

219
00:19:03,130 --> 00:19:05,880
and other goodies made for the
season.

220
00:19:07,390 --> 00:19:13,160
We continue strolling on,
noticing familiar faces and new

221
00:19:13,170 --> 00:19:19,770
ones, all exchanging smiles.
Feeling energized from the

222
00:19:19,780 --> 00:19:24,790
snack, we walk out the street to
the end and follow the gravel

223
00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:30,130
path towards the apple orchard,
where the trees stretch and rose

224
00:19:30,140 --> 00:19:35,920
across the hill.
People move quietly among them,

225
00:19:36,050 --> 00:19:41,500
baskets looped over their arms,
the apples shining red and pale

226
00:19:41,510 --> 00:19:47,180
gold within.
We pick only a few each what

227
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we're able to carry in our bags
and munching one along the way

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at the exit.
Assign lists upcoming events for

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00:19:58,290 --> 00:20:02,020
this weekend and next.
Sighed.

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Or pressing a fall wreath making
workshop and a twilight bonfire

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with local musicians.
We all feel ready now to sit and

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relax, so we make our way back
to the movie theatre with

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covered cups of apple cider and
bags of caramel popcorn.

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We settle in to the plush seats
to enjoy a cozy film at the end

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of this perfect autumn day.
I wish you sweet dreams.