Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Holidays at the Country Antiques Market

Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. As always, I'm your host, Thomas. Thanks so much for being here. Tonight, TK will be reading to us as we revisit the country and teak's market to attend a festive evening of special holiday shopping. We'll browse through handmade crafts and vintage treasures. Then, after soaking up the ambience, we'll enjoy an evening snack while the snow falls. an evening snack while the snow falls. Tonight this show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Life can be full of challenges, especially in times of change. Sometimes it really feels tough to face those challenges and look after our mental health. Therapists are trained to help you figure out the cause of challenging emotions and learn

Starting point is 00:01:07 productive coping skills. Having used BetterHelp myself, I know how powerful it is to have a sympathetic, neutral ear whom you can get things off your chest to. As the world's largest therapy service, better help has matched over 3 million people with professionally licensed and vetted therapists available 100% online. Plus, it's affordable. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to match with a therapist, and if things aren't clicking, you can easily switch to a new therapist anytime. It couldn't be simpler. No waiting rooms, no traffic, no endless searching for the right therapist.

Starting point is 00:01:52 Learn more and save 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com slash get sleepy. That's betterhelp-L-P dot com slash Get Sleepy. There's just a couple of days remaining in our premium supporters drive. We're aiming to reach a thousand new premium supporters by December 23rd and we'd love you to help us reach that goal with one last push in the coming days. Get Sleepy Premium is the very best way to enjoy the show and get a good night's sleep. With completely ad-free listening, weekly bonus episodes and access to nearly 500 full-length stories and meditations, comfort, coziness and variety are 100% guaranteed.

Starting point is 00:02:47 We have two bonus episodes coming up this week, including a sweet seasonal tale about the winter solstice that I'll be narrating tomorrow, and a stitched long play episode of our two trips to the country antiques market as told by TK. That one's on Friday. I hope you'll join us for both. Get Sleepy Premium is also a perfect gift for any sleep enthusiast or anyone in search of a better night's sleep. Maybe you could even add it to your own wish list. It only takes a few seconds and that's another gift sorted. To find out more, go to GetSleepy.com slash support or simply follow the link in the show notes. You'll see the option to gift a subscription on that page. Thanks so much

Starting point is 00:03:40 everyone for your continued support. So as we prepare for tonight's story, find a comfortable position and begin to focus on the breath. Slowly breathe in for 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. And exhale for 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Try your best to breathe slowly and deeply. As your mind switches off, your body becomes loose and relaxed. Let's practice a small moment of gratitude for your body. Your legs carried you throughout the day. Your neck held your head high. Your hands helped you accomplish your goals. and every other part of your body did what you needed it to do to get through

Starting point is 00:05:09 the day. Take this moment to smile inward and say thank you body for taking care of me throughout the day. Now, I'll hand over to TK for tonight's story. Picture yourself preparing for a night of leisurely festivities with snow in the forecast. This is where our story begins. It's one of those chilly, blade afternoons when you might be tempted to cozy up by the fire, the holiday season is in full swing and you've done your fair share of socializing lately. Today, however, you have special plans with a good friend. The two of you are going to spend some time at your favorite antique store, soaking up a festive atmosphere. This store in the country isn't a place that is normally

Starting point is 00:07:11 open in the evening, but they are staying open later than usual today. In addition to all kinds of wonderful holiday displays, they have also promised some seasonal entertainment. You and your friend have agreed that it's the perfect excuse for you to catch up together and also to get some shopping done. To get there you'll be taking a 40 minute trip out into the countryside. trip out into the countryside. Your friend has offered to drive so of course you are providing the hot chocolate. While you wait for him to pick you up? You carefully pour delicious smelling cocoa into two travel mugs, topping each one with a marshmallow. inhaling the chocolate scent deeply. You smile and carefully tighten the lids. These will be wonderful to sepon as you enjoy your leisurely trip through the countryside. You hear a car pull into the driveway

Starting point is 00:09:10 and wave to your friend through the window. You slip into your cosiest jacket and then return to the counter for the travel mugs. Cradling them in your arm, you step onto your invigorating air outside. It's still hints at that tells you snow is coming. You are filled with the sense of delightful land dissipation. Your friend pushes the car door open from the inside, allowing you to carefully set a mug in each cup holder. Holiday music is playing on the radio. He greets you warmly and thanks you for the hot chocolate.

Starting point is 00:10:48 Settling comfortably into the front seat, you pulled the door shut, buckle your seatbelt, belt and tell him that you are ready to go. As you head out of your suburban neighborhood, you can see that just about everyone has gotten their decorations up. It's still daytime, but you can see wreaths hanging on doors, and lights strung along rooflines. A few very enthusiastic folks have put candy canes or reindeer in their yards. At one point you pass a house where a couple appear to be involved in an earnest discussion about how to hang decorations on their enormous pine tree in the yard.

Starting point is 00:12:13 You smile to yourself thinking how nice it is that people will try this energetically that people will try this energetically to get into the spirit of the season. As the homes and businesses grow sparser, and the winding country road opens up ahead. You see that the sun is setting with a beautiful display of pinks and oranges. You sip your hot chocolate, feeling the steam warm your nose a little bit. The scenery on either side of the road takes on a soothing, repetitive quality. Split rail fences surround mostly empty pastures, which have not yet entirely lost their green color. Although the muted palette of autumn has done much of its work. At the bottom of each of several long farm with a large wreath. Set back from the road on a hill.

Starting point is 00:14:10 One ranch-style home has a replica of Santa and his reindeer, first on the roof. You smile to yourself, thinking of all the children who must be excited despite as they drive by. The music in the car is mostly classic holiday tunes by famous singers from many years ago. As you roll through this somewhat rural area, you get the feeling you have been transported back in time. and sported back in time. Looking at so many of these farms, it's easy to imagine you are driving by the same place that was there decades before. The timelessness of the scenery adds to the magical feeling. The farm stands are not closed for the season.

Starting point is 00:15:39 Although the usual abundance of vegetables and fruits is no longer visible. They have replaced produce with jams, jellies, reeds, handmade gifts, and even freshly caught Christmas trees. As sunset gives way to twilight, you see hay bales in front of these roadside stops. Illuminated with colorful lights, inviting travelers to come in. You are tempted, but you know there will be plenty for you to explore at the antique store.

Starting point is 00:16:38 As you near your destination, you pass an elementary school on your right. It looks like it might be the night of a holiday concert. The parking lot is full of cars and families are streaming into the brightly lit front door of the school. Children are dressed up in neatly pressed pants and dresses. Some are wearing hair ribbons. You think about all the concerts you performed in as a child, standing on the risers and clapping in unison, or playing the hand bells. There is no holiday event as heartfelt as a children's concert. You think to yourself, it makes you happy.

Starting point is 00:17:57 Just as you reach the end of your warm cocoa, the antique store appears up ahead. It looks absolutely charming. The owners have taken great care to generously string white lights around every inch of the building. Roof line, windows, and all the angles on the wrap around porch are twinkling like stars in the deepening gloom. Through the tall windows, you can see chandeliers, brightly illuminated inside, and people moving back and forth across the windows. The party appears to be in full swing. You're excited to take a look for yourself. Your friend turns into the driveway and rolls past several rows of parked cars to find a spot in the unpaved parking lot. Leaving your empty mugs in the car, you open the doors and step out into the bracing night air.

Starting point is 00:19:51 Again, you sense the incoming snowfall in the air. You close your eyes and breathe deeply, relishing the childhood memories of happy winter days that it brings. You marvel at the fact that you never outgrow the excitement of an impending snowfall. As you walk toward the antique store, you see a food truck doing a brisk business. The people inside the service window have hats and fingerless gloves on. They are handing out baked goods, coffees, and hot cider. Delicious spicy scent of apples float spy you as you pass. This place may have to be the last stop on your the front of the house, passing through a small,

Starting point is 00:21:32 swinging gate. It is invitingly, propped open for the guests. As you ascend the wooden steps to the front porch, you can hear a distant sound of singing somewhere in the house. It must be carolers, you think, and you lean one ear in a bit, trying to figure out which song they are performing. Just as the name is on the tip of your tongue, your friend opens the front door. opens the front door. Warmth and golden light spill out onto the porch, and with it the low hum of many friendly conversations. You step into the front hall and are immediately surrounded by activity. To the left, at the cash register, numerous employees are busy ringing up customers and

Starting point is 00:23:04 brapping gifts. People who are waiting for their purchases are standing around in pairs and small groups, talking in low voices and laughing. To your right there is a magnificent Christmas tree, in nearly touches the ceiling, and it is decorated entirely with things that are white, bows, painted ornaments, glass bobbles and lights. At the very top a white star sparkles. It is covered in glitter and glowing from within. You realize that everything on the tree is for sale. Gently turning one of the glass ornaments, you admire the artistry. It looks handmade and is etched with an intricate pattern. You nestle the ornament lightly back into the tree,

Starting point is 00:24:35 where it sparkles elegantly among the branches. Looking up, you realize your friend has wandered into the big room next door. You know from past visits that it is a high ceiling space full of chandeliers, kitchenwares, and other beautiful things. Stepping through the doorway, you see that you have already found the source of the lovely music. A trio of carolers has been set up in the far corner of the room. They are now performing a pretty aquapallab version of silent night. And you think how wonderfully it suits the mood. An enticing smell of cinnamon fills the room.

Starting point is 00:25:59 Previously, you have always been here in the daytime. The room looks quite different now. The lights have been lowered for this evening event, and the chandeliers are sparkling above your head. Long strings of white lights have been subtly woven around China cupboards and windows. Surrounded by the tiny white orbs, you feel as if you are suspended in the stars. The room has also been generously decked out with fresh evergreen bows. You inhale the pine scent deeply and close your eyes for a moment. You hear other guests quietly whispering, so as not to disturb the people listening to the music.

Starting point is 00:27:12 Opening your eyes, you take in the small touches that have transformed this room and made it so merry. Where regular dinnerware once stood, now there is holiday themed tableware. Some of it is boldly decorated with Santa and his reindeer. decorated with Santa and his reindeer. It has a distinctly folksy vintage feel to it. For Sudler Mary-Meghars, there is a delicate set of bone china with small holly sprigs and gold trim, you gently pick up one of the matching teacups and marvel at how elegant look around for your friend. He is across the room, looking at a table full of handmade angels.

Starting point is 00:28:41 You walk over to join him. Each one is unique. Some are made from twisted metal and have a very rustic feel to them. Others are made of quilted fabric, sooting a person with a home spun taste in decorations. Your favorite of these angels is not standing on the table at all. It is hanging from a, and what appears to be small curls of shaved wood. It is so precious that you know you must have it for your friend who collects angels.

Starting point is 00:29:53 You gingerly lift the charming decoration from its hook and cradle it in your hand. On a nearby table, there is a small display of German Christmas pyramids. They are two, three, or even four levels tall. Each level has a rotating ring of little characters that spins around, such as wise men or angels. On the very top is a wooden fan. down on the lowest level, candle holders jut out from each side of the pyramid. When the candles are lit, the heat rises, making the fan turn. As long as the candles are burning, all the figurines will keep going in circles. It is truly a marvel of holiday engineering. You walk past an antique mirror that is festively draped in greenery and shiny gold ribbons. The glass is not perfect anymore, but you are surrounded by the twinkling lights that fill the room. You have the illusion of seeing through the looking glass to another world. Your friend has disappeared

Starting point is 00:32:11 through the door to the hallway and you suspect he has gone upstairs. Taking your little feathery angel, around the corner, and begin climbing the staircase to the top. The railing is strung with green velvet ribbons that have been beautifully tied into bows. The steps creak lightly under your feet. And you can hear the footsteps of other patrons treading the boards above your head as you go. On the landing of the top, you are greeted by the delicious smell of hot cider.

Starting point is 00:33:15 A small table has been set up with paper cups and a sign invites you to help yourself. You can't resist the offer, so you stop and pour yourself one. The cup holds just a few sips, which is the perfect amount to warm you up on this chilly night. You aren't sure which way your friend has gone, but you are certain to run into him whichever direction you choose. You decide to go left and find yourself in a room full of record bins. This is quite a bit of luck because you have a friend who got a new turntable this year, and he is building up his record collection. You stand at one of the bins and begin flipping through. Some of the artists are people you've never even heard of. Others you remember well and seeing the album covers of so many years past

Starting point is 00:34:52 feels very nostalgic. After going through more than one bin, you find the perfect jazz album. You cannot believe your good fortune. Taking it from the bin, you slide it under your arm. Now, you have two great finds that will shorten your shopping list. This has already been a great evening. into the next room and find out where your friend has been. The owners of the store have spread a huge jigsaw puzzle out on a table here and left the sign inviting guests to help put it together. You look at the box to see what the picture is supposed to be.

Starting point is 00:36:15 It's a charming vintage illustration of an old-fashioned main street decked out for the holidays. So far, the guests have been able to put together most of the edge pieces, but there is much that is left to be done. left to be done. Your friend is trying to complete a section that forms an antique car. You stand next to him and spot two pieces that obviously fit together. Sliding the pieces next to each other, you lock them in place. Your friend grins at you and laughs. He says you have beginners luck. You are pretty sure he's right. Leaving the puzzle behind,

Starting point is 00:37:32 the two of you wander around the rest of the room, which is filled with children's toys. Many of these items can be found here year round, but your attention is drawn to the wooden sled in the corner. It's of the old style, with metal rails and a steering bar in the front. It has a red bow tied to it, which matches the metal rails. Your friend comments that it's the perfect porch decoration, and you agree. Passing through the doorway, you find yourselves in a room you enjoy every time you're here. It's full of used and vintage books. There are always the lightful new volumes here to browse through.

Starting point is 00:38:47 For the holiday season, the staff has set up a special display of beautiful children's picture books. There are two child-sized walking chairs nearby, and a preschooler is sitting in one earnestly phaging through a book that is almost too big for her lab. Her father is leaning over her shoulder, commenting on the pictures. You turn your attention to a stack of cookbooks. Most of them are unfamiliar to you, but that is the best part in your opinion. You are especially interested in one about baking old-fashioned holiday cookies. Paging through it, you see it has recipes for cookies you've never tried making, such as ginger snaps and midwestern style bars. Even though you are already carrying two other items, you decide you will get this intriguing cookbook as a gift to yourself.

Starting point is 00:40:28 You stack it on top of the record album and slide them both under your arm. Your friend has found the perfect book to give to one of his friends. It's a very old volume of fairy tales, with beautiful illustrations, The cover is a deep red color with letters printed in gold. He is delighted to have found something for this person. As he says, she is an avid collector of obscure and old-fashioned folklore. The room next door is mostly filled with furniture. But you are drawn to a display of handmade advent calendars displayed on a table. Each of them is in a different shape. One is a house, another is the shape of a pine tree, and yet another is in the shape of an angel.

Starting point is 00:42:09 All of them have little doors you can open. One for each day of advent. Small treats and surprises can be placed inside for children to open each morning. placed inside for children to open each morning. Your friend tells you about the paper Advent calendar he had as a child, with chocolate inside each door. He laughs, explaining he got over-excited one year, and ate all the chocolate on December 10th. He adds that the beauty of these calendars is that the adults can put the chocolates in

Starting point is 00:43:00 the calendar one by one. You think to yourself that this is a very smart way to prevent holiday sugar overload. Since you both have your hands full at this point, your friend suggests making your purchases and stopping at the food truck for some dessert. This sounds like a splendid idea, so you make your way back to the top of the creaky stairs and slowly descend. Soon, you find yourselves back in front of the glittering tree in the entryway. The staff at the counter are all wearing funny holiday sweaters. A woman wearing reindeer antlers on a headband, cheerfully accepts your purchases from you and offers you a box for the delicate angel.

Starting point is 00:44:32 You gratefully accept and watch her deathly pack up your treasures and put them in a large shopping bag with a handle. You thank her and wish her a happy holiday and she responds with her own good wishes. You and your friend pull open the front door, and the chilly air rushes in. It's quite refreshing after being inside the crowded store for the last hour. Stepping out onto the porch, you feel that snow cannot be far away. It's dark out now, but you are fairly certain you are feeling tiny cold pin bricks on your cheeks and nose. Pulling your cold collars up around your neck, you make your way toward the food truck. It is still brightly lit and serving customers as they exit the store. The delicious smell of sugar and cinnamon, wafts out the service window.

Starting point is 00:46:09 Two people inside the window are chatting with customers as they feel their orders. The servers are wearing jolly hats that have jingle bells on them. After looking at the menu, you each order a hot drink. To go with it, you get a cider doughnut and your friend selects a peppermint brownie. Taking your treats to a nearby bench, you sit down, setting your steaming cups to you as you peel back the wax paper wrappers on your snacks. You happily take a few rapturous bites, lingering over the cider flavor which always seem to provide the perfect transition between fall and winter. The donut and the brownie are soon eaten, but you and your friend sit with your cups, cradleed in your hands, allowing the steam to warm your noses.

Starting point is 00:47:49 It's a great excuse to savor the festive atmosphere of the country store. You decide to finish your drinks in the car. As you stand up, now, snow starts to fall around you in huge flat flakes. A drift down, a sea of crystals floating across the nearby street light. You imagine momentarily that you are inside a charming old snow globe as this perfect holiday moment unfolds in the night air. As you make your way toward your parking place, you stretch your fingers out and watch the snowflakes land on your hand and vanish. Each one slightly different than the other.

Starting point is 00:49:08 A little girl nearby, you're spinning in circles with her face car as a winter wonderland appears outside the windows. As you drive back down the country road toward home, You see that the school concert is just letting out. The doors of the auditorium are open, casting a warm, golden glow into the dark evening. into the dark evening. Parents and their children spill out of the doors, dispersing into the parking lot. Happy children hop about excitedly, wearing festive headbands and proper hats. As the winding road unfolds ahead, your eye follows the split-braille fences that you pass. that you pass. They are barely visible in the darkness, un music playing on the car stereo. By the time your friend pulls back into your neighborhood, you are sleepy enough to be thinking fondly of your bed.

Starting point is 00:51:32 fondly of your bed. As you guide through the streets near your home, you can see white lights, colored lights, and entire Christmas trees illuminated on stairways and in front windows. The night has filled with twinkling orbs and sparkling decorations of all kinds. For this moment, the world shines with beauty. Sometime later, you are greatfully snuggling deep into your warm, flannel sheets. Your pillows are so soft and your fluffy comforter is nestled around you. Turning over, you can see that the snow is falling thickly outside your window. There is now a blanket of white covering everything. You marvel at how the landscape of your neighborhood has become frosted like a cake in a matter of hours. Just by looking at it, you know that the ground would crunch slightly underfoot, absorbing every

Starting point is 00:53:30 other sound as you walked. Smiling at the thought, you give in to your drowsiness and close your eyes. When you do, you still see the flakes of sparkling white snow, gently drifting through the darkness. But in your wandering mind, it soon becomes a thousand Without even noticing, you slip slowly into a wintry dream. ... ... I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing.

Starting point is 00:55:52 I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. you you ... ... I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room.

Starting point is 00:57:36 I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. ... I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing.

Starting point is 00:58:22 I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work.

Starting point is 00:58:52 I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. I'm going to do a little bit of the work. ... ... you you you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Holidays at the Country Antiques Market

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