October 16, 2025 • 20 mins
This week on The Slow Life, join me for Fall Festival — a gentle story set in a small village alive with autumn colour and celebration. Walk among the scarecrows and pumpkins, visit the library’s art workshop, carve pumpkins at the community centre, and sip cider by the orchard as the day comes to a cozy close.
Let the soft imagery of this autumn story ease your mind and bring you a sense of warmth and calm before bed.
This calming story is designed to help you relax, unwind, or drift into restful sleep. Ideal for fall listening, bedtime or morning routines, or whenever you need a quiet moment of comfort.
If you enjoy cozy, relaxing stories, remember to follow the podcast so you don't miss any stories that are posted every Thursday.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Connect with The Slow Life
Stories written and read by Jennifer Veinot
🌐 Website: TheSlowLife.ca
📸 Instagram: @theslowlifecozystories
📌 Pinterest: theslowlifecozystories
💌 Support the show by donating HERE
All content copyrighted Jennifer Veinot (Zwicker) 2024, 2025
#TheSlowLifePodcast #CozyStorytelling #AutumnVibes #FallFestival #SlowLiving #BedtimeStory #RelaxingPodcast #FallAmbience #CozyListening #SleepStory
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Welcome to The Slow Life. I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,
narrate and design the soundscape of this village of
cosy stories to relax and unwind.
Each week I share an original story.
Read 2 times so you can relax even more during the second
(00:25):
reading. I'm happy to announce my
website, theslowlife.ca. It provides a space where we can
connect and I can bring you all things cozy.
Let's settle in with some easy breathing at your own pace.
(00:48):
With each inhale, let fresh air fill the space around your
heart. With each exhale, feel the calm
air spread through your body andflow out through your arms and
legs, gently in through your heart.
(01:10):
Gently out through your body, inthrough your heart, out through
your body. And now let's begin.
This story is called Fall Festival and it's about
(01:35):
gatherings and offerings, the company of friends and sitting
in a plush seat at the end of the day.
Although the official event willtake place over the next two
weekends, this whole season feels like a fall festival.
(01:57):
Every day the changing leaves are in full swing here in the
village. Red and gold layered with the
last of summer's green. The ground is already covered
with so many, it's a wonder there are any left hanging on
above us. They collect along curbs and
(02:21):
steps, and I watched them slide,lift and roll as tumbleweeds as
I walked towards the village square where the gathering and
festivities spread out in every direction.
The scarecrows still stand and sit on front lawns and benches
(02:42):
and have become a familiar part of the scenery, like the
pumpkins stacked along storefronts and the corn stocks
tied to railings and mailboxes. Music drifts around from
somewhere close. I can't see the source, but I
(03:02):
hear a fiddle warming up and a guitar doing the same.
Stands have been set up bright with produce and preserves,
others with pottery and other handmade crafts.
When I see some friends in frontof the library they tell me
(03:23):
they've just arrived as well, soI joined the group for some
company. During the festival, lots of
venues host activities or offerings inside and out.
Beside us, tables are arranged along the front walk with book
(03:44):
bundles tied in twine. Free to take.
I find a collection of autumn themed recipe books, one being
cozy drinks that I'll have some fun with inside.
The quiet murmur of voices fillsthe space.
A watercolor workshop is under way in the reading room, people
(04:09):
decorating small squares of paper, painting autumn leaves
and trees from the windows just beyond them.
Upstairs, a local historian presents a photo exhibit.
Village scenes from decades ago.The same buildings and streets,
(04:29):
though much simpler. Still smiling faces enjoying a
fall day. Just as we are back outside, we
hear the community centre is nowopen beside the front doors.
They've set up a beautiful scenefor photos.
It looks like a corner in a living room done up.
(04:53):
So cozy with plush chairs of deep orange velvet, floor lamps
with stained glass shades mixed with outdoor elements of fall
foliage, tall stocks and barrels, and gourds and pumpkins
placed beautifully around the set.
(05:13):
Inside the centre, tables are covered with newspapers and
carving tools. Pumpkins ready to be carved wait
on the floor in neat rows, some pre marked with designs for
those wanting some creative help.
Folks have started and I see elaborate trailing vines and
(05:37):
stars, while others are simpler faces or patterns.
We join in and I curve mine to have cat ears and Whiskers were
invited to add the seeds to the bowls in the kitchen where
volunteers roast them for saltedsnacks.
(05:59):
We each take a paper cup of seeds already roasted and wonder
to see what's next. The Pottery Cafe is one of the
busiest spots. Tables have been set up both
inside and out under strings of patio lanterns, the colours of
(06:20):
the leaves about to let go of their branches.
The staff have filled baskets with small clay pumpkins for
people to paint and take home. There are jars of brushes and
palettes of glaze, warm terracottas, creams, mossy
(06:41):
greens but also colours that arejust fun to play with.
Some visitors seem to have done this before, layering colours,
while others chat softly and askfor tips on making it look its
best. I decide on deep purple with a
(07:03):
golden stem. I like how it turns out and will
be proud to display it at home. Finished pieces are carried
inside to dry on the counter. Through the open door, I can see
shelves of newly glazed mugs waiting for the kiln, each one
(07:27):
marked with initials at its base.
We will return to each spot to pick up what we've made at the
end of the day. At the bakery beside the cafe,
long wooden tables have been pulled into the square for
cookie decorating. The staff bring out trays of
(07:49):
pumpkin spice cookies and shapesof leaves, pumpkins and
scarecrows. Bowls of icing and sprinkles are
set out between plates, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon
and sugar. A few people linger with coffee
(08:10):
cups, watching others decorate before wrapping their cookies in
parchment paper to save for later.
The movie theatre has been drawninto the festival too.
Posters in the window advertise a series of classic films
(08:30):
showing each afternoon and evening, comforting ones full of
autumn light and small towns scenes.
The scent of popcorn reaches us in the cool air, and we decide
to come back for a show to nightwhen we're ready to sit.
(08:52):
The farmers market building, normally open once a week, has
become the festival's steady anchor.
For both weekends. It's filled with growers and
makers, the aisles bright with squash preserves, dried herbs,
bees, wax candles and hand knit scarves.
(09:15):
We're met with a mix of sweetness and something savoury
from the food stalls throughout.There's a corner for tasting and
we're up for a bite to eat. We sample cheese, pickled
vegetables, small cups of cider and other goodies made for the
(09:36):
season. We continue strolling on,
noticing familiar faces and new ones, all exchanging smiles.
Feeling energized from the snack, we walk out the street to
the end and follow the gravel path towards the apple orchard,
(09:59):
where the trees stretch and roseacross the hill.
People move quietly among them, baskets looped over their arms,
the apples shining red and pale gold within.
We pick only a few each what we're able to carry in our bags
(10:21):
and munching one along the way at the exit.
Assign lists upcoming events forthis weekend and next.
Sighed. Or pressing a fall wreath making
workshop and a twilight bonfire with local musicians.
(10:43):
We all feel ready now to sit andrelax, so we make our way back
to the movie theatre with covered cups of apple cider and
bags of caramel popcorn. We settle in to the plush seats
to enjoy a cozy film at the end of this perfect Autumn day Fall
(11:11):
Festival. Although the official event will
take place over the next two weekends, this whole season
feels like a fall festival. Every day the changing leaves
are in full swing here in the village.
(11:32):
Red and gold layered with the last of summer's green.
The ground is already covered with so many, it's a wonder
there are any left hanging on above us.
They collect along curbs and steps, and I watched them slide,
lift and roll as tumbleweeds as I walked towards the village
(11:57):
square, where the gathering and festivities spread out in every
direction. The scarecrows still stand and
sit on front lawns and benches and have become a familiar part
of the scenery, like the pumpkins stacked along store
fronts and the corn stalks tied to railings and mailboxes.
(12:24):
Music drifts around from somewhere close.
I can't see the source, but I hear a fiddle warming up and a
guitar doing the same. Stands have been set up bright
with produce and preserves, others with pottery and other
(12:44):
handmade crafts. When I see some friends in front
of the library they tell me they've just arrived as well, so
I joined the group for some company.
During the festival, lots of venues host activities or
offerings inside and out. Beside us, tables are arranged
(13:10):
along the front walk with book bundles tied in twine.
Free to take. I find a collection of autumn
themed recipe books, one being cozy drinks that I'll have some
fun with inside. The quiet murmur of voices fills
(13:30):
the space. A watercolor workshop is under
way in the reading room, people decorating small squares of
paper, painting autumn leaves and trees from the windows just
beyond them. Upstairs, a local historian
presents a photo exhibit. Village scenes from decades ago.
(13:55):
The same buildings and streets, though much simpler.
Still smiling faces enjoying a fall day.
Just as we are back outside, we hear the community centre is now
open beside the front doors. They've set up a beautiful scene
for photos. It looks like a corner in a
(14:19):
living room done up. So cozy with plush chairs of
deep orange velvet, floor lamps with stained glass shades mixed
with outdoor elements of fall foliage, tall stocks and
barrels, and gourds and pumpkinsplaced beautifully around the
(14:39):
set. Inside the centre, tables are
covered with newspapers and carving tools.
Pumpkins ready to be carved waiton the floor in neat rows, some
pre marked with designs for those wanting some creative
help. Folks have started and I see
(15:03):
elaborate trailing vines and stars, while others are simpler
faces or patterns. We join in and I curve mine to
have cat ears and Whiskers were invited to add the seeds to the
bowls in the kitchen where volunteers roast them for salted
(15:25):
snacks. We each take a paper cup of
seeds already roasted and wanderto see what's next.
The Pottery Cafe is one of the busiest spots.
Tables have been set up both inside and out under strings of
(15:46):
patio lanterns, the colours of the leaves about to let go of
their branches. The staff have filled baskets
with small clay pumpkins for people to paint and take home.
There are jars of brushes and palettes of glaze, warm
(16:07):
terracottas, creams, mossy greens but also colours that are
just fun to play with. Some visitors seem to have done
this before, layering colours, while others chat softly and ask
for tips on making it look its best.
(16:29):
I decide on deep purple with a golden stem.
I like how it turns out and willbe proud to display it at home.
Finished pieces are carried inside to dry on the counter.
Through the open door, I can seeshelves of newly glazed mugs
(16:52):
waiting for the kiln, each one marked with initials at its
base. We will return to each spot to
pick up what we've made at the end of the day.
At the bakery beside the cafe, long wooden tables have been
pulled into the square for cookie decorating.
(17:15):
The staff bring out trays of pumpkin spice cookies and shapes
of leaves, pumpkins and scarecrows.
Bowls of icing and sprinkles areset out between plates, and the
air smells faintly of cinnamon and sugar.
(17:36):
A few people linger with coffee cups, watching others decorate
before wrapping their cookies inparchment paper to save for
later. The movie theatre has been drawn
into the festival too. Posters in the window advertise
(17:56):
a series of classic films showing each afternoon and
evening, comforting ones full ofautumn light and small towns
scenes. The scent of popcorn reaches us
in the cool air, and we decide to come back for a show to night
(18:17):
when we're ready to sit. The farmers market building,
normally open once a week, has become the festival's steady
anchor. For both weekends.
It's filled with growers and makers, the aisles bright with
squash preserves, dried herbs, bees, wax candles and hand knit
(18:41):
scarves. We're met with a mix of
sweetness and something savoury from the food stalls throughout.
There's a corner for tasting andwe're up for a bite to eat.
We sample cheese, pickled vegetables, small cups of cider
(19:03):
and other goodies made for the season.
We continue strolling on, noticing familiar faces and new
ones, all exchanging smiles. Feeling energized from the
snack, we walk out the street tothe end and follow the gravel
(19:24):
path towards the apple orchard, where the trees stretch and rose
across the hill. People move quietly among them,
baskets looped over their arms, the apples shining red and pale
gold within. We pick only a few each what
(19:47):
we're able to carry in our bags and munching one along the way
at the exit. Assign lists upcoming events for
this weekend and next. Sighed.
Or pressing a fall wreath makingworkshop and a twilight bonfire
(20:08):
with local musicians. We all feel ready now to sit and
relax, so we make our way back to the movie theatre with
covered cups of apple cider and bags of caramel popcorn.
We settle in to the plush seats to enjoy a cozy film at the end
(20:32):
of this perfect autumn day. I wish you sweet dreams.
Welcome to The Slow Life. I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,
narrate and design the soundscape of this village of
cosy stories to relax and unwind.
Each week I share an original story.
Read 2 times so you can relax even more during the second
(00:25):
reading. I'm happy to announce my
website, theslowlife.ca. It provides a space where we can
connect and I can bring you all things cozy.
Let's settle in with some easy breathing at your own pace.
(00:48):
With each inhale, let fresh air fill the space around your
heart. With each exhale, feel the calm
air spread through your body andflow out through your arms and
legs, gently in through your heart.
(01:10):
Gently out through your body, inthrough your heart, out through
your body. And now let's begin.
This story is called Fall Festival and it's about
(01:35):
gatherings and offerings, the company of friends and sitting
in a plush seat at the end of the day.
Although the official event willtake place over the next two
weekends, this whole season feels like a fall festival.
(01:57):
Every day the changing leaves are in full swing here in the
village. Red and gold layered with the
last of summer's green. The ground is already covered
with so many, it's a wonder there are any left hanging on
above us. They collect along curbs and
(02:21):
steps, and I watched them slide,lift and roll as tumbleweeds as
I walked towards the village square where the gathering and
festivities spread out in every direction.
The scarecrows still stand and sit on front lawns and benches
(02:42):
and have become a familiar part of the scenery, like the
pumpkins stacked along storefronts and the corn stocks
tied to railings and mailboxes. Music drifts around from
somewhere close. I can't see the source, but I
(03:02):
hear a fiddle warming up and a guitar doing the same.
Stands have been set up bright with produce and preserves,
others with pottery and other handmade crafts.
When I see some friends in frontof the library they tell me
(03:23):
they've just arrived as well, soI joined the group for some
company. During the festival, lots of
venues host activities or offerings inside and out.
Beside us, tables are arranged along the front walk with book
(03:44):
bundles tied in twine. Free to take.
I find a collection of autumn themed recipe books, one being
cozy drinks that I'll have some fun with inside.
The quiet murmur of voices fillsthe space.
A watercolor workshop is under way in the reading room, people
(04:09):
decorating small squares of paper, painting autumn leaves
and trees from the windows just beyond them.
Upstairs, a local historian presents a photo exhibit.
Village scenes from decades ago.The same buildings and streets,
(04:29):
though much simpler. Still smiling faces enjoying a
fall day. Just as we are back outside, we
hear the community centre is nowopen beside the front doors.
They've set up a beautiful scenefor photos.
It looks like a corner in a living room done up.
(04:53):
So cozy with plush chairs of deep orange velvet, floor lamps
with stained glass shades mixed with outdoor elements of fall
foliage, tall stocks and barrels, and gourds and pumpkins
placed beautifully around the set.
(05:13):
Inside the centre, tables are covered with newspapers and
carving tools. Pumpkins ready to be carved wait
on the floor in neat rows, some pre marked with designs for
those wanting some creative help.
Folks have started and I see elaborate trailing vines and
(05:37):
stars, while others are simpler faces or patterns.
We join in and I curve mine to have cat ears and Whiskers were
invited to add the seeds to the bowls in the kitchen where
volunteers roast them for saltedsnacks.
(05:59):
We each take a paper cup of seeds already roasted and wonder
to see what's next. The Pottery Cafe is one of the
busiest spots. Tables have been set up both
inside and out under strings of patio lanterns, the colours of
(06:20):
the leaves about to let go of their branches.
The staff have filled baskets with small clay pumpkins for
people to paint and take home. There are jars of brushes and
palettes of glaze, warm terracottas, creams, mossy
(06:41):
greens but also colours that arejust fun to play with.
Some visitors seem to have done this before, layering colours,
while others chat softly and askfor tips on making it look its
best. I decide on deep purple with a
(07:03):
golden stem. I like how it turns out and will
be proud to display it at home. Finished pieces are carried
inside to dry on the counter. Through the open door, I can see
shelves of newly glazed mugs waiting for the kiln, each one
(07:27):
marked with initials at its base.
We will return to each spot to pick up what we've made at the
end of the day. At the bakery beside the cafe,
long wooden tables have been pulled into the square for
cookie decorating. The staff bring out trays of
(07:49):
pumpkin spice cookies and shapesof leaves, pumpkins and
scarecrows. Bowls of icing and sprinkles are
set out between plates, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon
and sugar. A few people linger with coffee
(08:10):
cups, watching others decorate before wrapping their cookies in
parchment paper to save for later.
The movie theatre has been drawninto the festival too.
Posters in the window advertise a series of classic films
(08:30):
showing each afternoon and evening, comforting ones full of
autumn light and small towns scenes.
The scent of popcorn reaches us in the cool air, and we decide
to come back for a show to nightwhen we're ready to sit.
(08:52):
The farmers market building, normally open once a week, has
become the festival's steady anchor.
For both weekends. It's filled with growers and
makers, the aisles bright with squash preserves, dried herbs,
bees, wax candles and hand knit scarves.
(09:15):
We're met with a mix of sweetness and something savoury
from the food stalls throughout.There's a corner for tasting and
we're up for a bite to eat. We sample cheese, pickled
vegetables, small cups of cider and other goodies made for the
(09:36):
season. We continue strolling on,
noticing familiar faces and new ones, all exchanging smiles.
Feeling energized from the snack, we walk out the street to
the end and follow the gravel path towards the apple orchard,
(09:59):
where the trees stretch and roseacross the hill.
People move quietly among them, baskets looped over their arms,
the apples shining red and pale gold within.
We pick only a few each what we're able to carry in our bags
(10:21):
and munching one along the way at the exit.
Assign lists upcoming events forthis weekend and next.
Sighed. Or pressing a fall wreath making
workshop and a twilight bonfire with local musicians.
(10:43):
We all feel ready now to sit andrelax, so we make our way back
to the movie theatre with covered cups of apple cider and
bags of caramel popcorn. We settle in to the plush seats
to enjoy a cozy film at the end of this perfect Autumn day Fall
(11:11):
Festival. Although the official event will
take place over the next two weekends, this whole season
feels like a fall festival. Every day the changing leaves
are in full swing here in the village.
(11:32):
Red and gold layered with the last of summer's green.
The ground is already covered with so many, it's a wonder
there are any left hanging on above us.
They collect along curbs and steps, and I watched them slide,
lift and roll as tumbleweeds as I walked towards the village
(11:57):
square, where the gathering and festivities spread out in every
direction. The scarecrows still stand and
sit on front lawns and benches and have become a familiar part
of the scenery, like the pumpkins stacked along store
fronts and the corn stalks tied to railings and mailboxes.
(12:24):
Music drifts around from somewhere close.
I can't see the source, but I hear a fiddle warming up and a
guitar doing the same. Stands have been set up bright
with produce and preserves, others with pottery and other
(12:44):
handmade crafts. When I see some friends in front
of the library they tell me they've just arrived as well, so
I joined the group for some company.
During the festival, lots of venues host activities or
offerings inside and out. Beside us, tables are arranged
(13:10):
along the front walk with book bundles tied in twine.
Free to take. I find a collection of autumn
themed recipe books, one being cozy drinks that I'll have some
fun with inside. The quiet murmur of voices fills
(13:30):
the space. A watercolor workshop is under
way in the reading room, people decorating small squares of
paper, painting autumn leaves and trees from the windows just
beyond them. Upstairs, a local historian
presents a photo exhibit. Village scenes from decades ago.
(13:55):
The same buildings and streets, though much simpler.
Still smiling faces enjoying a fall day.
Just as we are back outside, we hear the community centre is now
open beside the front doors. They've set up a beautiful scene
for photos. It looks like a corner in a
(14:19):
living room done up. So cozy with plush chairs of
deep orange velvet, floor lamps with stained glass shades mixed
with outdoor elements of fall foliage, tall stocks and
barrels, and gourds and pumpkinsplaced beautifully around the
(14:39):
set. Inside the centre, tables are
covered with newspapers and carving tools.
Pumpkins ready to be carved waiton the floor in neat rows, some
pre marked with designs for those wanting some creative
help. Folks have started and I see
(15:03):
elaborate trailing vines and stars, while others are simpler
faces or patterns. We join in and I curve mine to
have cat ears and Whiskers were invited to add the seeds to the
bowls in the kitchen where volunteers roast them for salted
(15:25):
snacks. We each take a paper cup of
seeds already roasted and wanderto see what's next.
The Pottery Cafe is one of the busiest spots.
Tables have been set up both inside and out under strings of
(15:46):
patio lanterns, the colours of the leaves about to let go of
their branches. The staff have filled baskets
with small clay pumpkins for people to paint and take home.
There are jars of brushes and palettes of glaze, warm
(16:07):
terracottas, creams, mossy greens but also colours that are
just fun to play with. Some visitors seem to have done
this before, layering colours, while others chat softly and ask
for tips on making it look its best.
(16:29):
I decide on deep purple with a golden stem.
I like how it turns out and willbe proud to display it at home.
Finished pieces are carried inside to dry on the counter.
Through the open door, I can seeshelves of newly glazed mugs
(16:52):
waiting for the kiln, each one marked with initials at its
base. We will return to each spot to
pick up what we've made at the end of the day.
At the bakery beside the cafe, long wooden tables have been
pulled into the square for cookie decorating.
(17:15):
The staff bring out trays of pumpkin spice cookies and shapes
of leaves, pumpkins and scarecrows.
Bowls of icing and sprinkles areset out between plates, and the
air smells faintly of cinnamon and sugar.
(17:36):
A few people linger with coffee cups, watching others decorate
before wrapping their cookies inparchment paper to save for
later. The movie theatre has been drawn
into the festival too. Posters in the window advertise
(17:56):
a series of classic films showing each afternoon and
evening, comforting ones full ofautumn light and small towns
scenes. The scent of popcorn reaches us
in the cool air, and we decide to come back for a show to night
(18:17):
when we're ready to sit. The farmers market building,
normally open once a week, has become the festival's steady
anchor. For both weekends.
It's filled with growers and makers, the aisles bright with
squash preserves, dried herbs, bees, wax candles and hand knit
(18:41):
scarves. We're met with a mix of
sweetness and something savoury from the food stalls throughout.
There's a corner for tasting andwe're up for a bite to eat.
We sample cheese, pickled vegetables, small cups of cider
(19:03):
and other goodies made for the season.
We continue strolling on, noticing familiar faces and new
ones, all exchanging smiles. Feeling energized from the
snack, we walk out the street tothe end and follow the gravel
(19:24):
path towards the apple orchard, where the trees stretch and rose
across the hill. People move quietly among them,
baskets looped over their arms, the apples shining red and pale
gold within. We pick only a few each what
(19:47):
we're able to carry in our bags and munching one along the way
at the exit. Assign lists upcoming events for
this weekend and next. Sighed.
Or pressing a fall wreath makingworkshop and a twilight bonfire
(20:08):
with local musicians. We all feel ready now to sit and
relax, so we make our way back to the movie theatre with
covered cups of apple cider and bags of caramel popcorn.
We settle in to the plush seats to enjoy a cozy film at the end
(20:32):
of this perfect autumn day. I wish you sweet dreams.
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