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Advertiser 1
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Advertiser 1
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Catherine Nicolai
Welcome to Bedtime Stories for Everyone in which Nothing Much Happens. You feel good and then you fall asleep. I'm Catherine Nicolai. I read and write all the stories you hear on Nothing Much Happens. Audio engineering is by Bob Wittersheim.
Bob Wittersheim
We give to a different charity each.
Catherine Nicolai
Week and this week we are giving to the Movember Foundation. They are more than mustaches folks. They are taking on men's physical, emotional and mental health globally. Learn more in our show notes. So my listeners, I've been working on.
Bob Wittersheim
Something special to help you unwind both in mind and body. It's a weighted pillow that's made just for us by quiet mind how many times have you heard me say that busy minds need a place to rest? Quiet mind answered. I have one on my lap right now. I use one whenever I record. The gentle pressure keeps me grounded in my body and cues my nervous system to relax and rebuild. These are the perfect holiday gifts for Nothing much Happens fans. I picked the color myself and the first hundred orders will get two free months of our Premium plus podcast subscription. You can order now through the link in our bio.
Catherine Nicolai
As always, I have a story to tell you and just by listening, we'll accomplish two things. We'll send you off to dreamland now and we'll train your brain to respond more readily to these cues over time. Sounds good, right? Just follow along with the sound of my voice and the simple shape of the tail. I'll tell the story twice and I'll go a little slower the second time through. If you wake later in the night, try thinking back through any bit of the story that you can remember. Or just press play again. You'll drop right back off. Our story tonight is called Pies and Pine Cones and it's a story about an upcoming adventure dreamt up in front of a fire. It's also about a drawing spotted in the paper, a fence with a shared gate between yards, deep breaths, a shelf full of cookbooks and delicious plans.
Advertiser 2
If you're listening, you know self care is vital for overall wellness, but it can be hard to prioritize yourself and ask for what you need. If you're a veteran going through a tough time, there are people who want to listen and help with no pressure or judgment. Dial 988 then press one chat at Veterans Crisis Line.net or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Responders are ready to support you no matter what you're going through.
Advertiser 1
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Catherine Nicolai
Okay, lights out Campers, it's time. Snuggle down and get as comfortable as you can. Let your shoulders and neck relax. Notice your feet, your hands, the muscles on your face all softening. Now take a deep breath in through your nose and sigh from your mouth. Nice. Do that one more time. Inhale and release. Good pies and pine cones I read about it in the Village News at the end of October. Learned to make pies for the holidays with our very own baker, the ad said. There was a little illustration of a pie with a prettily trimmed top and perfectly crimped crust, and my mouth had watered just looking at it. The class was a few hours long, would be held at the bakery in the evening when they were normally closed and promised to send us home with confidence, skills and two baked pies each. I'd been standing in my kitchen, my hip leaned against the counter as a cup of tea steeped beside me, and I quickly looked out the window into the backyard to see if my neighbor behind me was home. The lights were on in his kitchen. We'd grown up in these houses and been friends since we were kids. We went between our homes so often that we'd actually had a gate installed in the fence that separated our yards so we could skip walking around to each other's front doors. We both had a passion for food, for cooking, for eating, and for discovering new recipes, so before I phoned the bakery to reserve a spot for myself, I thought I'd better check in with him to see if I should book two rather than one. I tucked the newspaper under my arm and took the tea bag from my cup to drain in the sink. You know that old saying about how good fences make good neighbors? Well, even for neighbors who installed a shared gate, it was still true, so we usually messaged each other before we crossed into the other person's yard. I sent him one that said meet in the yard. Very important issue to discuss. After a minute, I saw him stepping out of his back door and then saw his reply come through. Let me guess, you saw the ad for the pie class. Whatever, I mumbled as I reached for my tea, honestly pleased that a friend like him knew me so well. When I slid my own door open, I called out across the yard, want tea? He shook his head and I strolled out in my slippers to meet him at the fence. The air was full of autumn scents, dry leaves, cooling earth, and it mixed with the cinnamon scent in my cup. I handed the newspaper across to him as I sipped, though I knew he'd obviously already seen it. Mm, he murmured as he reread it. Well, we obviously need to sign up. The real question is, what kind of pies do we aspire to create? I smiled into my cup as I'd been thinking the same thing. We had been hosting a friendsgiving meal together for the last several years, and one of our favorite things about it was the chance it gave us to experiment in the kitchen and try new things. We figured most Thanksgivings were already full of traditional dishes, so ours didn't have to be. Our potluck, which was by now big enough to fill the community hall on the village square, could be a showcase of different flavors, fusion recipes, and new ideas. And while pie was a traditional dish for sure, we could certainly take the knowledge we gleaned from the baker and add in our own twist. I'll call now and save our spots, he said, and I raised my mug in toast to the idea. As he turned to go back to his home, he called over his shoulder, have fun going through all your cookbooks. I chuckled, turning back myself. Boy, he did know me well. That was my first thought. As much as I loved to invent, I found that first I liked a little bit of inspiration. I went to the books that I knew worked, the trusted recipes that I relied on to understand the basics of flavor and technique. There was a chill that followed me through the yard and up to my door, and it shivered through me as I reached for the knob. A good night for a fire, I thought. I'm coming in to set my mug on the kitchen table. I went into the garage for some logs. I know a lot of folks like a gas fire, so convenient and fast. You flip a switch and you've got instant warmth and atmosphere. But I prefer a wood fire. It takes some skill and time to build, but it's a satisfying chore, and nothing beats the smell of wood smoke. I usually started by sweeping out the old ashes into a can, but since this was my first fire of the year and a good fireplace cleaning was always part of my own spring cleaning, I had a blank canvas, so to speak. I took the rest of the village paper, having already read the most essential piece of news in it, and crumpled the individual pages and made a sort of bed of them to lay my kindling on. I'd been collecting pine cones through the year and had a milk crate full of them beside the grate. They were dry, and their thin, woody scales made for excellent fire starters. I set them strategically on the paper, then carefully propped the smaller, thinner logs into a frame over all of it. Fires need air. If you pile everything too densely, it will suffocate the flames. It was a comparison my yoga teacher often cited during class, especially on cold days as we worked to build some heat in our bodies that fires need oxygen so to breathe deeply as we moved. Just thinking of it led me to take some deeper breaths, and I stopped with a long match in my hand, pausing before striking it just to drink. In this moment, the daylight was going and I had a few small lamps on. It made the room feel cozy and soft. I could see through the kitchen window the light on in my friend's home. We had an adventure to look forward to, and in a few minutes my living room would be full of flickering light and the scent of burning logs. I'd brew a fresh cup of tea, take a stack of cookbooks down from the shelf, and curl up on the couch, ready to be inspired. Pies and Pinecones I read about it in the Village News at the end of October. Learn to make pies for the holidays with our very own baker, the ad said. There was a little illustration of a pie with a prettily trimmed top and perfectly crimped crust, and my mouth had watered just looking at it. The class was a few hours long, would be held at the bakery in the evening when they were normally closed, and promised to send us home with confidence, skills and two baked pies each. I'd been standing in my kitchen, my hip leaned against the counter as a cup of tea steeped beside me, and I quickly looked out the window into the backyard to see if my neighbor behind me was home. The lights were on in his kitchen. We'd grown up in these houses and been friends since we were kids. We went between our homes so often that we'd actually had a gate installed in the fence that separated our yards so we could skip walking around to each other's front doors. We both had a passion for food, for cooking, for eating, and for discovering new recipes, so before I phoned the bakery to reserve a spot for myself, I thought I'd better check in with him to see if I should book two rather than one. I tucked the newspaper under my arm and took the tea bag from my cup to drain in the sink. You know that old saying about how good fences make good neighbors? Well, even for neighbors who installed a shared gate, it was still true, so we usually messaged each other before we crossed into the other person's yard. I sent him one that said Meat in the yard. Very important issue to discuss. After a minute, I saw him stepping out of his back door and saw his reply come through. Let me guess. You saw the ad for the pie class. Whatever, I mumbled as I reached for my teacup, honestly pleased that a friend like him knew me so well. When I slid my own door open, I called out, cross the yard. Want tea? He shook his head and I strolled out in my slippers to meet him at the fence. The air was full of autumn scents, dry leaves, cooling earth, and it mixed with the cinnamon scent in my cup. I handed the newspaper across to him as I sipped, though I knew he'd obviously already seen it. Mm, he murmured as he reread it. Well, we obviously need to sign up. The real question is, what kind of pies do we aspire to create? I smiled into my cup as I'd been thinking the same thing. We'd been hosting a friendsgiving meal together for the last several years, and one of our favorite things about it was the chance it gave us to experiment in the kitchen and try new things. We figured most Thanksgivings were already full of traditional dishes, so ours didn't have to be. Our potluck, which was by now big enough to fill the community hall on Village Square, could be a showcase of different flavors, fusion recipes, and new ideas. While pie was a traditional dish, for sure, we could certainly take the knowledge we gleaned from the baker and add in our own twist. I'll call now and save our spots, he said, and I raised my mug to toast the idea. As he turned back to his home, he called over his shoulder, have fun going through all your cookbooks. I chuckled, turning back myself. Boy, he did know me well. That was my first thought. As much as I loved to invent, I found that first I liked a little inspiration. I went to the books that I knew worked, the trusted recipes that I relied on to understand the basics of flavor and technique. There was a chill that followed me through the yard and up to my door, and it shivered through me as I reached for the knob. A good night for a fire, I thought, and coming in, set my mug on the kitchen table and went into the garage for some logs. I know a lot of folks like a gas fire, so convenient and fast. Flip a switch and you've got instant warmth, an atmosphere. But I prefer a wood fire. It takes some skill and time to build, but it can be a satisfying chore and nothing beats the smell of wood smoke. I usually started by sweeping out the old ashes into a can, but since this was my first fire of the year and a good fireplace Cleaning was always part of my spring cleaning. I had a blank canvas, so to speak. I took the rest of the village paper, having already read the most essential piece of news in it, and crumpled the individual pages and made a sort of bed of them to lay my kindling on. I'd been collecting pine cones through the year and had a milk crate full of them beside the grate. They were dry and their thin, woody scales made for excellent fire starters. I set them strategically on the paper, then carefully propped the smaller, thinner logs into a frame over all of it. Fires need air. If you pile everything too densely, it will suffocate the flames. It was a comparison my yoga teacher often cited during class, especially on cold days as we worked to build some heat into our bodies. The fires need oxygen, so to breathe deeply as we moved. Just thinking of it led me to take some deeper breaths, and I stopped with a long match in my hand, pausing before striking it just to drink. In this moment the daylight was going. When I had a few small lamps on, it made the rooms feel cozy and soft. I could see through the kitchen window the lights on in my friend's home. We had an adventure to look forward to, and in a few minutes my living room would be full of flickering light and the scent of burning logs. I'd brew a fresh cup of tea, take a stack of cookbooks down from the shelf, and curl up on the couch, ready to be inspired. Sweet dreams.
Podcast Summary: "Pies & Pinecones"
Nothing Much Happens: Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep
Host/Author: Kathryn Nicolai (Catherine Nicolai)
Episode: Pies & Pinecones
Release Date: November 11, 2024
Kathryn Nicolai warmly welcomes listeners to another episode of Nothing Much Happens, a podcast designed to help you relax and drift into peaceful sleep with gentle stories where "nothing much happens." In this episode, titled "Pies & Pinecones," Kathryn sets the stage for a cozy evening filled with friendship, culinary adventures, and the comforting ritual of building a fire.
Charitable Cause: Kathryn emphasizes the podcast's commitment to giving back by supporting the Movember Foundation this week. She states, “We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to the Movember Foundation. They are more than mustaches folks. They are taking on men's physical, emotional, and mental health globally” ([03:05]).
Featured Product: Kathryn introduces a special weighted pillow created by Quiet Mind, highlighting its benefits for relaxation. Bob Wittersheim elaborates on the product’s impact: “The gentle pressure keeps me grounded in my body and cues my nervous system to relax and rebuild” ([03:28]).
Before diving into the story, Kathryn outlines the dual purpose of the podcast session: “We'll send you off to dreamland now and we'll train your brain to respond more readily to these cues over time” ([04:27]). She explains the storytelling technique employed—repeating the story twice with a slower pace the second time to enhance relaxation and reinforce calming patterns in the listener's mind.
Plot Summary:
Pies & Pinecones is a heartwarming tale centered around two long-time neighbors who share a deep passion for cooking and friendship. The story unfolds as one neighbor discovers an advertisement for a holiday pie-making class and decides to enroll, pondering whether to sign up alone or invite his friend.
Key Elements:
Community and Friendship: The protagonists, having grown up together, maintain a close bond, exemplified by their shared gate in the fence and seamless communication.
Culinary Passion: Both neighbors relish experimenting with new recipes, anticipating the Friendsgiving meal where they can showcase innovative dishes.
Seasonal Atmosphere: The story vividly captures autumn's essence—the crisp air, the scent of dry leaves, cinnamon in the air—creating a serene and inviting backdrop.
Rituals of Preparation: The act of building a wood fire symbolizes warmth, comfort, and the beginning of a creative culinary journey.
Notable Quotes:
Kathryn’s Opening Line: “Okay, lights out Campers, it's time. Snuggle down and get as comfortable as you can” ([07:31]). This gentle prompt encourages listeners to relax and prepare for the story.
Dialogue Between Neighbors:
Themes:
Collaboration and Creativity: The neighbors' decision to attend the pie-making class together highlights the joy of collaborative creativity.
Tradition with a Twist: While pie is a traditional dish, the protagonists aim to infuse their unique twists, reflecting a balance between honoring traditions and embracing innovation.
Home and Hearth: Building a wood fire signifies more than just physical warmth; it represents the nurturing of ideas and the comfort of home.
As the narrative progresses, one neighbor meticulously prepares his home for the upcoming adventure. He chooses to build a wood fire over a gas one, appreciating the skill and satisfaction it brings. This choice underscores his dedication to creating an authentic and cozy atmosphere conducive to inspiration and creativity.
Detailed Moments:
Reservation and Communication: Before booking the pie class, the neighbor sensitively checks in with his friend, demonstrating respect and consideration.
Preparation Ritual: The protagonist sweeps out old ashes, gathers dry pinecones and logs, and carefully arranges them to ensure the fire breathes—paralleling the importance of setting the right environment for creativity.
Atmospheric Details: Kathryn’s vivid descriptions transport listeners to the protagonist’s kitchen, emphasizing sensory elements like the smell of wood smoke and the flickering light of lamps, enhancing the immersive experience.
Repetition for Relaxation:
Following the initial narration, Kathryn repeats the story at a slower pace, allowing listeners to absorb the details more deeply and reinforcing the tranquil mood necessary for sleep.
As the story concludes, Kathryn leaves listeners with a sense of warmth and anticipation for the upcoming Friendsgiving meal, where the lessons from the pie-making class will be put into delightful practice. She gently encourages listeners to revisit the story if they wake during the night, ensuring a seamless return to relaxation and sleep.
Final Words: “Sweet dreams,” Kathryn whispers, closing the episode with a comforting farewell ([07:31]).
Meditative Techniques: Throughout the episode, Kathryn employs mindfulness cues—prompting listeners to relax specific muscle groups and take deep breaths—integrating yoga and meditation practices to enhance the calming effect.
Product Promotion: The introduction of the weighted pillow by Quiet Mind serves as a tangible aid for listeners seeking physical comfort alongside mental relaxation. The promotion includes a special offer: “The first hundred orders will get two free months of our Premium Plus podcast subscription” ([04:27]).
Repetition for Reinforcement: By narrating the story twice, Kathryn effectively uses repetition to solidify the calming patterns in the listener's brain, making it easier to achieve a restful state over time.
Host Introduction:
“We tell the story twice and go a bit slower the second time.” ([04:27])
Product Endorsement:
“The gentle pressure keeps me grounded in my body and cues my nervous system to relax and rebuild.” ([03:28])
Story Invitation:
“Okay, lights out Campers, it's time. Snuggle down and get as comfortable as you can.” ([07:31])
Friendship Highlight:
“Have fun going through all your cookbooks.” ([08:30])
"Pies & Pinecones" exemplifies the essence of Nothing Much Happens by combining everyday moments with subtle storytelling to create a soothing auditory experience. Kathryn Nicolai masterfully intertwines themes of friendship, creativity, and the comforts of home, providing listeners with a serene pathway to sleep. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the podcast, this episode promises a gentle journey into relaxation and sweet dreams.