Gates of Lodore - Green River Rafting

Gates of Lodore on the Green River

My brother-in-law pulled the permit for May 11-15, 2023! Woot woot!!

THE CREW: 10 people BOAT 1: brother-in-law, sister-in-law + their 2 girls (ages 11 + 9) BOAT 2: father-in-law, father-in-laws brother BOAT 3: husband, myself + our 2 girls (ages 9 + 8) "Cuzzies" refers to the 4 girl cousins.

GEAR: 3 rafts (1 - 14' RMR and 2 - 15' Bris all pumped to 2-2.5 and floors to 2.5), 3 spare oars, 3 large coolers, 3 "day size" coolers, 4 tents (the cuzzies shared 1), 10 personal large dry bags, 12 life vests (1 extra adult size and 1 extra kid size), 10 helmets, 10 sets of splash gear (our family did Grundens bib pants (and jackets for the girls)), 10 pairs of neoprene gloves, 10 large water bottles (our family used Hydro Flask), 6 folding chairs, 2 hammocks, 1 major medical kit, 3 smaller medical kits, 3 boat repair kits, 3 air pumps, 2 groovers (rented), 2 rescue kits (Z-Drag kit), 3 throw bags, Fireside Outdoor pop-up fire pit with fire blanket, firewood (which we were glad to have in a couple campsites, but we did overpack), my brother-in-laws boat carried the required paperwork.

Boats at launch.

KITCHEN GEAR: 5 - 5 gallon water jugs (we were out of water the last day), 2 collapsible tables, 2 stoves, dutch oven, big pan with lid/spatula/tongs, french press, olive oil, 3 kitchen bins [personal dishes and utensils, dish drying bag, large mesh strainer, propane bottles, lighter, 2 washing bins/soap/scrubber, 3 rolls paper towels, coffee + cups, ground tarp, 5 large black trash bags (1 per day), cutting board and knife, ziplock bags].

MY PERSONAL DRY BAG: 1 sleeping bag, 1 sleeping pad, 1 pillow with silk pillowcase, 1 headlamp, 1 charging block (I took a ton of photos and videos), 2 swim suits, 1 baseball cap, 1 winter hat, 5 undies, 5 pairs cozy socks, 1 fleece zip up jacket, 1 rain jacket, 1 sweatshirt, 1 pair sweatpants, 2 tank tops, 2 t-shirts, 2 sun guard long sleeve shirts, 2 NRS sun guard dresses, 1 pair shorts, 4 pairs leggings, 1 pair sneakers, 1 pair sandals, 1 pair muck boots, 2 extra large ziplock bags (labeled! 1 for wet clothing, 1 for dirty clothes), Tylenol, 1 book, 1 journal, playing cards, deodorant, biodegradable body wipes, razor, face wipes, lotion, sunscreen, and bug repellent (never used).

SIDE NOTES: •Something that every single one of us said we wished we would have brought more of was a heavier duty hand lotion. Every day at camp our hands would be so dry and chapped.  •Our weather was fairly consistent every day...warm to start then cooled down with mild rain and windy. Then as the sun would set it would clear back up. We brought gear for blazing hot and also snow pants and snow jackets, but ended up leaving that all at the vehicles.  •I actually put all our clothes in ziplock bags which was really helpful!  •Some of the gear is required - be sure to check requirements as this was inspected at launch.

FOOD: Each boat was on their own for lunches. Our family had sandwiches, wraps, pasta salad, and snack foods! Snacks: chips, dried mangoes, trail mix, granola bars, pre-cut fruit

breakfast burrito prep then frozen

Day 1 Dinner: baby back ribs (pre-cooked just needed heated), baked beans, corn, cucumber/tomato/red onion/Italian dressing salad, lemon blueberry loaf with cherry sauce

Day 2 Breakfast: breakfast burritos and pre-cut fruit

Day 2 Dinner: chicken Cuban bowls

Day 3 Breakfast: pre-cooked potatoes and bacon with fried eggs on top *Would have been better to have the pre-made breakfast burritos!*

Day 3 Dinner: pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, pasta salad, carrots/cucumbers and homemade ranch dip, bbq chips, pineapple upside down cake in the dutch oven

Day 4 Breakfast: breakfast burritos

Day 4 Dinner: homemade hamburger helper, green beans, applesauce

Day 5 Breakfast: breakfast burritos

Day 5 Dinner: a restaurant in Vernal

RAFTING:

Day One [on the river]: LAUNCH DAY! The sheer vastness of the cliffs was incredibly breathtaking. The red rocks were endless that first day.

The river was bony, and rocks were extremely difficult to see until we were basically on top of them.

Our first stop was a muddy pullover just across the river where we launched. We did a quick steep incline jaunt in order to get close to a dead bull elk, whom we lovingly named Bruce. The smell was wretched and I didn’t take any photos because..gross.

A little later the cuzzies jumped out and skipped along a white sand beach.

The whole crew (all 10 of us) hopped out at Winnie’s Grotto.

The mud suctioned our shoes down deep. I spent a good 10 minutes washing our girls and my sandals and then we joined everyone but the two oldest gentleman for a hike to the grotto. There was some snow, a dead mouse, and a squeeze through a rock which required taking off my life vest to fit.

Our campsite was Pot Creek. Aww, camp that first night was magic. Right next to the loud rushing creek and Uncle Steve’s ribs that melted off the bone. A most lovely first day.

Winnie's Grotto

Pot Creek

Day Two [on the river]: I woke up at 4:30am, laid in my sleeping bag listening to the rushing creek and finally decided to emerge around 5:30am. I was the first one up (well out of the tents at least). I started coffee and built the fire. Breakfast burritos hit the spot! We tore down camp, loaded the boats, did a final walk around and we were off.

Lots of baby geese, more mud, a few rapids. River was still bony, and rocks were still hard to see. One rapid is called Hell’s Half Mile and Lucifer’s Rock got us. Zach’s oar launched out of its lock, the boat spun 180° and we proceeded to drop down the rapid, backwards with one oar! We lurched side to side, pinging off boulders into what felt like a waterfall. I was forced out of my seat, pushed the girls bodies down into the boat, and somehow we all stayed in. Thankfully the oar ring saved our oar and Zach was able to grab it once we were out of the rapids.

The book 'Down the Great Unknown' calls 'Hell's Half Mile' one of the most technical whitewater rapids...and I believe it! Even with scouting and watching two boats go before us we still had a heck of a time! Oof. But we were through the worst of it for that day. Or so we thought! Coming around a bend we saw Isaac trying to dislodge a stuck oar (that bent and broke), while they were pinned on a massive boulder. Eventually Meg and their girls climbed out of the boat and up on top of the large rock. My husband got us to shore, grabbed the rescue bag, and booked it down river to help. Isaac had got the boat off the rock and was pulling it back up river for his girls to climb back in, so rescue wasn't needed.

It was a wild day on the river.

Meg’s amazing Cuban Bowls for dinner were just what the crew needed to fill up after the long day.

Limestone was our campsite, which was much quieter so I had a rough time sleeping.

Limestone

Day Three [on the river]: My father-in-law was the first one up. I joined him by the fire, made coffee, and then once the other adults emerged from their tents I made my version of Trader’s Taters.

It’s hard to believe so much was packed into this day…the Yampa River merged in! Where the river had been bony, and we got stuck on a few rocks, now the water was moving much quicker with little interferences in our way.

We did a short hike up to some petroglyphs, and then went across the river and perused Echo Park. A few of us hiked to a “cave” and my oh my were their elk droppings everywhere! This whole day might be my most favorite landscape…Steamboat Rock towering above was not only impressive but utterly jaw-dropping!

The girls and I sang The Star Spangled Banner and some Christmas songs (the acoustics were better than the shower).

Headwinds and whirlpools before lunch.

Another stunning red rock canyon and then camp at Jones Hole.

I made pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings. Meg made a pineapple upside down cake in the dutch oven for dessert.

I had massive anxiety this day/night and didn’t fall asleep until close to 5:30am.

Steamboat Rock

Echo Park

Jones Hole

Day Four [on the river]: I was the last adult up. The water was boiling and when it whistled I made the french press. Zach and I cooked the breakfast burritos I had made. It started raining and the wind really picked up. We moved the stoves to a sheltered area and finished cooking them. My sister-in-law said, “happy Mother’s Day, Nicole” and whoa! I had totally forgot. The cuzzies emerged from their tent clearly holding something behind their backs…the most lovely homemade cards.

Packed up camp, and onto the river we go!

A couple minutes after launch and we were in the biggest roller-rapids I’ve ever experienced! A few felt like we were on the ocean! Not only were we nose-diving but some waves came from the side which made the boat swoosh and lots of water spilled in.

Our campsite was only an hour away. The Cove welcomed us with blazing heat and little shade. I immediately set up our tent, sleeping pads, pillows, and sleeping bags. Gathered my razor and dipped for a shave.

A storm rolled in. Wind, rain, cold, and 15 minutes later it was gone.

Isaac, Meg, Zach, and I all took our girls on a 1/4 mile walk to a slot-ish canyon.

Meg made homemade hamburger helper, and the youngest three made a sugar charcuterie for dessert.

A lovely sunset and we were off to bed.

really cold + rainy

sugar charcuterie

The Cove

Day Five [on the river]: Final day! I was ready to have a real shower, but it was also bittersweet to be packing up camp for the last time. I think we all had our systems down at this point so breaking down camp went quickly.

We rafted past Island Park and stopped at Ruple Ranch where the girls found a snake. Then we rowed almost directly across the river to see the bison petroglyph. From there it was a lovely mellow float to Rainbow Park where we stopped for lunch.

The final 8 mile stretch was filled with huge whitewater rapids (class II + III). The first drop into Moonshine felt like the boat was on the ocean (we were later told we completely disappeared below the wave). And then it was on to the next and the next which they call “wave train” rapids. The raft was rolling up and down, over and through. Water came spilling in from the nose and sides. The girls and I held on tight as we hooted and hollered! It was the most thrilling stretch of river I’ve ever been on. And then it was over too soon and we took out at Split Mountain.

Ruple Ranch

Bison Petroglyph

Rainbow Park

Split Mountain - Take Out!

We unpacked the rafts, loaded boats onto the trailers, and drove out of Dinosaur National Monument and back to Vernal. To the hotel for showers and then spoiled ourselves with dinner at a restaurant.

So grateful for the experience of rafting the Gates of Lodore!

March = Massive Modifications Part 2

Day 3 // Thursday, March 3rd

• I did 16 minutes on our row machine, 1 minute wall squat, 1 minute plank, and five minutes of weight lifting/ab work.
• Bare bones for homeschool. I had a lot of Legos to post on eBay so I spent most of the day taking photos, researching pricing, and posting.
• No shopping! Which Thursday is 1/2 off day at one thrift store where I typically find quite a bit to resell (and I find a lot of joy in organizing the children's books for better browsing). 
• I woke up with a slight headache, and overall just didn't have a lot of energy the entire day. 
• No alcohol cravings. 
• Definitely upped my water - I've never kept track of oz. so I honestly don't know how much more but it's been at least 3-6 more pint glasses per day.
• I had 2 pieces of chocolate to end my evening. So failed there on the no extra sugar, but honestly it was worth it to keep my motivation going! 

Day 4 // Friday, March 4th

"Hey, let's have a no spend month!"
*Your sole vehicle decides to break down.*
"So, aside from the $500 to the truck, let's have a no spend month."

Whomp. Whomp.

• Probably only worked out for 10 minutes. 50 weighted (8lbs) jumping jacks, 30 weighted scissor jumps, 20 weighted high knees, 20 weighted butt kicks, got on the ground and upped weight to 15lbs for ab twists, flat back toe touches, and flat back leg raises. My heart rate was up, and I was feeling really great for about 5 minutes.
• Pounding headache. Upset tummy. Probably my least favorite part of detox. My energy levels were down all day. 
• Homeschool. You know the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" on the movie Encanto? Well, that's sort of how I'm feeling..."Let's Not Talk About Homeschool!" It is my biggest area of failure in this journey so far. Monday is a new day, and a new week to get back into a fun routine with art projects and history lessons. I WILL find the motivation!!
• No shopping! No desire to!
• Husband had beer with his lunch (not in front of me...he just told me, but..) I found myself a bit jealous. Beer and a burger sound good. Went to my in-laws and would typically have a glass of wine but that wasn't a temptation this time.
• I think I had a normal amount of water, didn't up it.
• Again, had 2 pieces of chocolate to end my evening. Need to kick that. I also had a few pieces of salami, a piece of cheese, and a handful of pretzels. Definitely did not need that late night snack...probably boredom or that hand to mouth habit and water wasn't cutting it.

Day 5 // Saturday, March 5th

• So, zero energy or motivation have hit. I woke up, got on my phone to look at the weather, our bank account, eBay, read The Bible, photo album perusing...basically anything to keep me from getting my bum out of bed and working out. I like to work out on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Then drink a full glass (sometimes two) of water. Make an egg breakfast of some kind. And then move on to coffee. Today I skipped it all and went straight to coffee.
• My mood has dropped. Groggy. Lacking that pep.  
• The girls' and I had to go to Walmart for Qtips and a personal item for myself. We noticed winter jackets on mega clearance. I picked up the girls' winter coats for next year...originally $49.95 on clearance for $9! 
• No alcohol cravings.
• Water intake was normal.
• I made chocolate chip cookies and ate two. FAIL!! 

Day 6 // Sunday, March 6th

• Slept in until 9am. No workout!

Aaaannnnndddddd...I accidentally quit tracking! 

Sooo, here we are Thursday, March 10th and I wouldn't even begin to know what happened the past four days. 

I can tell you I'm still alcohol free though!

Our family is looking to buy a home and gosh darn, the market is not friendly at the moment. Homes that we looked at 3 years ago are going for double or more. 
I literally just want to own a home, have two working and reliable vehicles, and enough "fun money" every month to enjoy life! My prayer is to THRIVE not just survive through life. My prayer for all of you reading this is the same! 

May you thrive!

I woke up with a headache today. Like a pounding headache. Pushed through and got up. 

We looked at a house; when we were done it was lunch time. The girls were both begging for fast food, but I drove us home to save money! I'll be honest, the lazy part of me definitely wanted to stop. 

Anyway, these past 10 days have been challenging and rewarding. 
I'll try to keep track of the days better. 

Thanks for following along on this journey with me!

Love, 

Nicole

March = Massive Modifications

In the weeks leading up to my 33rd birthday I knew change needed to happen.
Big changes.
Massive modifications in lifestyle. 

I homeschool our two girls; they're in 1st and 3rd this year. I had gotten pretty lazy with it. Most days we would only do Math and English. We set out with the intention of having a different area of study each week: castles, bugs, trees, love, Lilly's pick the week of her birthday, and Penny's pick another week, etc. Instead, we would do Math and English and then they'd saunter off to their room to play Barbie's or read books. Which, admittedly, I loved! I loved the time and space to do whatever I wanted. But again, I set out with an intention of what I'd do with that time and it always seemed to end with scrolling social media mindlessly.  

Another area of failed intention: only drinking Friday - Sunday's. It got bad. SO BAD. I would drink a bottle to a bottle and a half of wine every night. A six-pack of hard seltzer? Gone in one night. Keep in mind that is 600 non-beneficial calories consumed - for what?! The day I realized I had a real problem was when three days prior we had bought the big jug of Tito's vodka and my husband looked in the freezer and it was 3/4 gone.
"Didn't we just buy this?" He questioned.
"Just let me live my life!" I snapped back. 

Yet another area of failed intention: spending extra money and not being purposeful with saving. As I'm sure is the case for most areas, the housing market here is insane. We are in a rental that wants to up our rent $450 more/month when our lease is up in June. I'm completely beside myself as we've been needing to save for a down payment on a home, so that cuts into our savings. Gone are the days of homes being priced for a single-income family to own and live comfortably. 

Oh geez, yet another area of failed intention: moving my body/losing some weight/water consumption. Back in 2018 I had an office job and started gaining a couple pounds. No biggie, weight fluctuates. Fast forward to today, I have at least 20 pounds I would like to lose. I've adopted quite the sedentary lifestyle. Sitting, laying, and lounging take up a lot of my day. 

Okay, so back to a few weeks before my birthday...I started mentally prepping myself that come March 1st I was going to be drastically cutting some things out of my life and working on building better habits for a lifelong healthier future. A week before, I had mentioned to a couple people that I was going to quit drinking the whole month of March. No alcohol for a month is something I've done a few times over the past few years; I mentally prep and had made it through each time. But back in December I had decided to not drink the whole month of January. January came and I honestly don't think I made it three days without drinking. [Insert yikes face.] 
March 1st had to be different. No caving into the craving this time!

February 28th I wrote on my Instagram and forgot to write down what I wrote to put here so it won't be identical but you'll get the gist. 
'Tomorrow's my birthday and I want to go into my 33rd year with healthier habits. I'm going to quit drinking the whole month of March [maybe longer], no social media [undetermined amount of time - Instagram/Facebook/TikTok], and the whole family is doing a "no spend" month. We're only going to spend on what we need, not want. Meaning no thrift stores [which is going to be the hardest for me - especially because I had started reselling and bringing in a nice little income with that], no Target/Walmart/Sportsman, no going out to eat. I'm going to move my body at least 20 minutes a day, up my water intake, and no sweets!' 

Something I didn't share was my goal to get back to doing more with homeschooling.

So, there you have it! A whole month of drastic changes. 
It's day 2 and I've already been challenged!

Last night, for my birthday, we went out to sushi. You're probably thinking what I felt, already failure on no going out to eat! HA! HOWEVER; we would typically order sake and we didn't! So, I was pretty proud of that.

Today I wanted to sleep in, but I got my bum moving and did 11 minutes on our row machine, a 1 minute wall sit, and about 5 minutes of weights. Not quite the 20 minutes, but more than yesterday so there's that. 
After Math and English we went to the public library and both girls got a library card and checked out a book. We've been home for one hour and Lilly already finished her 65 page chapter book! She recited what the whole story was about...almost word-for-word...she's our talker and apparently speed reader. 
We did buy a birthday gift for their little friend, but no extras! 
I haven't had any crazy withdrawals from alcohol yet. I was honestly expecting way worse. 

There you have it. My update on the first two days of detox, building better habits, and my intention for the next few weeks. 

Have you ever quit/changed a habit?
Have you ever started doing something new after being fairly set in your ways?
Curious what encouraged you along the way?

Thanks for reading friends!

Much love,
Nicole

Santa's Not Real ly Who You Think He Is...

As the youngest of five children, and with a semi-large age gap between me and my next closest sibling, I was never given the option to believe in Santa. I was told at a very young age, 'Santa isn't real, mom and dad buy all the presents and wrap them. No man comes down our chimney. And absolutely no bearded guy with rosy red cheeks lives in the North Pole with his reindeer and elves who make all the toys for good girls and boys.'

That was that, because that was fact.
I never got in a fight over whether or not he was or wasn't real.
I never spoiled it for friends.
I just accepted that was the truth.

When we had our first child I had a slight panic. What are we going to tell her? Am I going to go all out? Will I force my husband to dress up as Santa because I had a lack in "the magic" of it all and want everything over-the-top for her? 

She was four and half months old her first Christmas and could give two flying Fudgsicles whether or not she received a gift from jolly St. Nicholas.

Fast forward to when she and her younger sister could actually grasp the concept and I was in a mood. 
A mood that said, I never believed and I'm not bitter about it. 
A mood that said, it seems pretty unfair that 'this guy' gives one kid a Barbie deluxe, extraordinaire, mega house and another kid a slinky. 
A mood that said, if we lie to them about this will they believe us when we tell them x, y, and z?!

So I told my husband, we're not doing it. We're not doing 'the whole Santa thing."

That year I researched the origin of Santa and read about a man who was generous to boys and girls by filling their shoes (that they placed outside their homes) with little treats and trinkets. 
THAT is something I can get behind - a man who generously gave anonymously.

That year our church told us about filling shoeboxes with gifts to send to foreign countries.
We filled shoeboxes. 

The next year our small group went to our local mall where trees held tags with kids names, ages, and gift requests.
My heart was drawn to "blue jeans" for a 15 year old. "Snow pants" for a 12 year old. "A button up shirt for a job interview" for a 17 year old.
These little loves were asking for such practical items.
While the rest of our small group wanted to buy Legos, dolls, and other toys, I convinced them that at least one kid we picked was getting blue jeans!

The following year our church started something called Merry Market. 
The church members bought new gifts for newborns on up. Volunteers set it up like a store. Then they provided childcare while the parents "shopped" [everything is free] and wrapped gifts for their kids.
I love that it gave dignity to the parent to be the one who is providing said gift(s). 

So, here's the deal, the spirit of Santa is giving. 

Santa is your neighbor who buys gifts for his niece and nephews because his sister is a single mom. 

Santa is the grandparent who never sees their grandchildren but sends gifts every year anyway.

Santa is that person at your local Walmart who pays off layaways every year.

Santa is the volunteer who sings Christmas carols at their local Senior Living Home.

Santa is every single person who has given to Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas Child, Merry Market, and any other organization or event that provides gifts to people of all ages. 

Santa is every single person who gives anything during the holiday season.

So, Santa might not have a white beard, or wear a red and white suit, or have a reindeer named Rudolph.

But...

Santa is real.

Santa is you.

Santa is me. 

Santa is solely the sweet spirit of giving.

May your holidays be merry and bright,
Santa [a.k.a. Nicole]

Hospitality & Hosting

Have you ever walked into someone's home and felt so incredibly welcome? 
Or worse, have you walked in and immediately wanted to turn around?

Years ago my husband and I were invited to a housewarming party...cute couple, cute home, cute decor. Walked into the bathroom and literally had to put toilet paper on the seat and STILL squatted over that, because the seat was that nasty! It was as if that toilet seat hadn't been changed since the 70's. Gives me the heebies thinking about it now!

So let's start with the BATHROOM in regards to hosting. 

• Store extra toilet paper in a reachable/convenient spot. 
• Set out a bathroom spray or have a candle already lit. 
• Make sure your toilet is clean! Clean to the point your guests feel like they're the first person to ever use it. If you can't get it that clean, spend $30 on a new one.

Which brings me to CLEANING!

My biggest cleaning tips are:

• Start high and move low.
• Use products that work.
• Have a set routine that you can easily manage so it's more doable to do a quick clean before you host.
  [For example : you may need to break up your home by rooms and clean bathrooms on Monday's, kitchen on Wednesday's, everything else on Friday's...or whatever works best for your schedule.]
• Ask for help (from the other dweller(s) of the home) when you need it. 
• Pay someone to come do a deep clean and/or surface clean if that's not your thing.

I have found this to be the best combo
for cleaning showers and tubs.

There is nothing I love more than walking into a home that feels lived in, yet clean. If a home is too flawless I feel unwelcome. You know the one, with the perfectly staged couch where the throw pillows are so elegantly placed it would be a pity to move it even an 1/8 inch, so you don't feel like you can sit down. The books on shelves are for aesthetics, not to peruse, so you don't even take a gander. The countertops don't have a single appliance on them - do they use the kitchen?! Or when everything is white, so you feel dirty just standing in the home.

The overall feel you want your guests to experience is WELCOME!
You are welcome here! 

You are welcome to eat and drop crumbs.
You are welcome to open the fridge and grab yourself another drink.
You are welcome to sit on the couch. 

You are welcome here!

What specifically makes you feel welcome when you're the visitor?

Now emulate that in your own home! [And share with me in the comments!]

Guests just want to feel COMFORTABLE!

Something I've noticed is people love blankets!
From summer nights around a bonfire, to chatting on the couch, if a blanket is near they will use it!
For this reason, we have a basket with four blankets, and then two throws on the couch.

My husband is huge on the smell of the home, so over the years I've purchased many a candle.
We were gifted a diffuser with essential oils, which I should pull that out again, because 'the people' love the smell good stuff!

My only peeve about candles and diffusers is when they're near the food. Which, I'm guilty of placing them there. It makes sense to have the good smell by the smell you're trying to mask; however, it can taint the taste of the food. 

Speaking of FOOD, you gotta' serve something, anything!

Our first get-togethers we provided cold jarred queso with tortilla chips in the bag. 

We've since upgraded to heating the queso up, pouring it into a bowl (or last time into a fondue pot over a flame to keep it warm), and the chips also go into a bowl. 

We've really classed it up in the last 12 years. 

But seriously, food is incredibly important to hosting. 

If you can't afford to provide a whole meal for all your guests ask them to chip in and order pizza. 

We've also made homemade pizza crust and guests brought their own toppings.

We've done 'bring your own meat' bbq's where we provide the sides and condiments. 

Other inexpensive options include taco rice, pasta, charcuterie, dessert only, chili, brats + hot dogs.

Lastly, I would recommend having background MUSIC.
There are bound to be lull's in the conversation, laughter dissipates, and there is something extremely uncomfortable about deafening silence when there are more than two people in a room.
We have a Sonos speaker attached to our tv, and a portable plug-in one that we put outside if the need arises. 
Zach has a Spotify account, and I use Pandora. 

My most used stations: 

• Charlie Cunningham Radio 
• 70s Greatest Hits Radio [Mostly used while cleaning.]
• Jack Garratt Radio
• Yoste Radio
• Classical for Studying Radio [No lyrics!]
• I used to do Indie Chill Radio but haven't for quite a while so don't know what's even on it now.
• Elevation Worship Radio [I used this when hosting a woman's Bible study, and that one time (a couple weeks ago) a girlfriend came over and I had a nightmare paired with a panic attack the night before and had been blasting worship music since I woke up.]

Zach is definitely more in tune (see what I did there?! ;)) with the music. He can gauge a room and play something everyone enjoys! 

From cleaning, to comfort/feeling welcome, to food, to music, I think we've covered it all!

Whether it's inside or out, lots of people or just a couple, a full-on themed dinner or cold queso in a jar, I hope you are encouraged to host a gathering in your home! 

Have fun with it and let me know how it goes!

Peace, Joy, and Love be upon you,

Nicole

Bonus: GAMES!

I know they're definitely not for everyone, but I am literally screaming inside, so excited to be sharing our love of games!

Small Gathering [2-6 people]

• Clue
• Cribbage
• Farkle
• Mexican Train Dominoes
• Scattergories
• Sequence
• Smart A**
• Ticket To Ride
• Yahtzee

Larger Gathering [6 or more people]

• Apples to Apples
• Cards Against Humanity [Disclaimer: I have played with the "wrong" group and it was awful, so this one is a little iffy.]
• Catchphrase
• Charades
• Cranium
• Trivia
• I Should Have Known That
• Things They Don't Teach You In School
• 90's Trivia

Did I miss any of your favorites? Be sure to leave them in the comments if I did!