our entire summer in one blog post

LOL HERE IT GOES....

I guess since it's Labor Day weekend, I should finally post some photos from our summer.  We had such a lovely few months enjoying the warm weather and (lots!) of Louisiana visitors.  Brad's cousins and their two girls stayed for over a week...our friend Chris came over for a few days as well...We got to spend time with Pier's Aunt Jessica (his godmother!) and her new hubby Bill...my college BFF Mary Claire visited in July...and then my mom stayed for Brad's birthday week.  We are basically a free hotel ;).  We LOVE visitors, especially from home.  It was such a gift to be able to spend time with our favorite people! 

All those visitors also meant we got free babysitting -- so Brad took me out on a date the night before Pier's first birthday to commemorate our survival of a year of parenthood.

Our summer included lots of family walks // and margaritas on our back porch // and farmer's market mornings // and even a first-time visit to the zoo on one of Brad's rare days off! 

Pier and I also had LOTS of fun playdates with our BFFS Valerie + Xavier.  We ate plenty of ice cream, and splashed in the pool, and laughed all summer long.  

On one of our family walks, Brad and I visited a place called Art Park along the river -- basically a park filled with outdoor art.  It was so fun!  How cool is that house?  

Swinging in the park is another favorite activity.  A playground brings so much to a 1 year old!  We loved to go to the park in the afternoons and have a picnic lunch under a shady tree.  Pier is becoming such a big eater -- avocados, peas, mushrooms, kale, applesauce, corn, chicken, almond butter sandwiches, pears, and BLUEBERRIES are some of his favorite foods.  Basically anything I'm eating, he wants too.  He says "blue" every time I'm in the kitchen because he knows that's where the blueberries are.  He also really loves green smoothies and gets excited when I get the blender started...

Summer was fun - and always way too quick -- but I'm happy to say that we're ready for you fall!  I can't wait to go pumpkin picking, and bake pumpkin goodies, and witness the leaves change colors.  It is my favorite season, and one that I look forward to every year.  There is something so sacred about living in a city with four seasons -- I've never had that opportunity growing up, and it's lovely that Pier will make memories in a place where that happens.  Hope you enjoyed the mammoth amount of Pier photos & savor every minute of your long weekend! 

learning something new

Sometimes, you just got to get out of your comfort zone and learn something new.  I had been wanting to learn calligraphy for YEARS, but for some reason I just never got around to learning. I was too busy, or too stressed, or too scared to pick up another hobby (excuses, excuses.)  But then I heard that one of my favorite calligraphers was coming to Indy and offering a beginners class in modern calligraphy.  My heart jumped at the chance to learn from the best!  I signed up immediately, texted my bestie Valerie because I knew she'd been wanting to learn too, and counted down the days until the day of our class.  Honestly, I had a long and difficult summer battling severe depression//anxiety, so I knew a girls night learning a new skill was exactly what I needed to help me feel like myself again.  

The class took place in the Fountain Square neighborhood in Indianapolis.  That area has such a fun, historic, and vibrant atmosphere.  Val and I ate dinner beforehand and also got margaritas, so that may explain why I'm so giggly in the pictures :).  Then we headed on over to New Day Craft (a cider and MEAD bar) to learn our stuff!  Not only was it my first time attempting calligraphy, it was also my first time trying mead.  I felt like I stepped out of Beowulf and it tasted (surprisingly) delicious.  

Ok so maybe I was a littleeeee excited to have a baby-free evening to myself with my bestie? Plus the excitement of learning something I've always wanted do to made me simply giddy.  Val + I agreed that felt like Christmas morning.  It doesn't hurt that I was pretending I was in a Jane Austen novel the entire night.  So basically I was in heaven.  Tasty alcohol + Jane Austen vibes + good fellowship...what more could a girl need?

Our teacher was the ever-gifted + mega babe Erica Tighe of Be a Heart Design.  She does a lot of art for the Blessed is She ministry, and I have been drooling over her work since I stumbled upon it.  What a sweetheart! And a great teacher.  We were all just in awe of her and her talent. 

Ahhhhh such an amazing evening.  A girls night is oh so good for the soul!  I wanna relive it over and over again and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when I got home.  Can you imagine people used to write like this?  I'm grateful that calligraphy is becoming so popular because I think we need to treasure this craft.  I can't wait to start practicing!

what I wore Sunday

Here goes week two of my "what I wore Sunday" series! Still can't believe I'm doing this but I really appreciate the feedback I've gotten on this new blog topic.  From the bottom of my heart thank you to those who have reached out to me & gave me words of support!  If you only knew what a gift your encouragement is to me.  

I don't consider myself someone who takes a lot of risks in fashion.  I like to keep things fairly simple and *most importantly* comfortable.  That being said, sometimes I have to get creative with my wardrobe.  Today's outfit is a product of that.  What appears as a jean skirt is actually a dress that shrunk in the wash :). The fit was so odd after I washed it that I knew I couldn't wear it as a dress anymore. I didn't want to throw it out just yet, and played around with different ways to wear it.  

This week, I wore this (nursing friendly!) dress, this shirt, and these shoes (so comfy once you break them in...I have them in two colors).  I wore it the entire day.  Little fun fact about me is that I hate changing clothes.  Once I put on an outfit for the day, that's what I'm going to stay in until bedtime.  So this outfit took me from church, to running errands, to the park, and then chasing Pier around the house for the rest of my afternoon.  I'm all about practical mom-friendly attire!

I also rocked my favorite necklace made by The Jones Market.  I don't own a lot of jewelry because I think it's a bit pointless now that Pier chews, yanks, and slobbers on anything I wear. This necklace is an exception because it was created with moms in mind!  It's a teething necklace that is tuggable and adjustable.  Plus it's super cute and goes with everything - WIN.

And because what I wear on my body is not as important as the state of my soul, I want to end on this verse from today's readings:

"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

-Luke 14:11

I hope today is filled with peace & rest in anticipation for the week to come.  Enjoy your Sunday friends!

fossi favorites: summer 2016

As the summer fades to fall, I thought I would do a seasonal wrap up of some of my favorite things our family has enjoyed over the past few months.  I don't have the stamina to make this a weekly thing, so it will probably be a lengthy series that happens a couple times a year.  I genuinely love hearing what other people are reading, wearing, watching...so without further ado, here's some of my summertime picks. 

what i'm reading

Below is a brief account of the novels I've read -- no analysis or anything, just a simple recommendation! 

Silence by Shusaku Endo // This novel is intense in the best way.  It details a story about two priests called to secretly minister to 17th century Japanese Catholics, despite the fact the faith is banned in Japan.  Anyone found practicing Christianity in the country will face a gruesome death.  The priests and faithful Christians must choose -- will it be martyrdom or apostasy?  One of the most thought provoking and spiritually challenging books I've read in a while. P.S. There is a forward by Martin Scorsese that is worth your time! 

The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah // I read the Nightingale after two friends randomly told me to read this novel on the same day, so I took it as a sign to pick up a copy.  It was a quick read and a captivating story, and I loved that it was set in WWII France.  However, despite all the 5 star reviews online, I thought it was just OK.  After I put it down, I just couldn't escape the feeling that something was missing.  It was entertaining, but overall, it just wasn't my style.  If you like historical romance-type genres then I think you'll find it compelling! 

Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset // Wow. Just wow.  It is perfect.  Read it.  Read all the reviews that would do a much better job than me at explaining how beautiful this novel is.  A hidden gem of literature, and I think, it is a must read for any Catholic.  Although, if you are a busy mom of little ones make sure you buy the modern translation by Nunnally because I have a beautiful vintage copy from the 40's and the language is a bit difficult for my frantic mom-brain to concentrate on.  But read it.  And then let's move to Norway. 

Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson // Brad & I listened to this together on audiobook, and it peaked our interest because we heard that it's a favorite book of Pope Francis himself.  It is a dystopian novel written in the early 1900's but eerily reflective of our modern day.  If you enjoy Catholic fiction or dystopian novels, add this one to your list. 

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather // This is what I'm currently reading and really enjoying it so far.  Which is super surprising because I really didn't like My Antonia :).  But I can tell immediately that this one is different in the best way.  I'm just in love with the way she utilizes the landscape in this novel! It is like reading a painting. She makes me want to drop everything and hop on a plane to Santa Fe.  At this rate it might quickly jump onto my favorite book list. 

for the body

- The Balanced Life Sisterhood membership // If you know me, you know that I'm a die-hard Tracy Anderson fan.  You can make fun of me for that but whatever I love Tracy.  I've been doing her work outs since high school...her workouts are intense, and they're deff not for everyone, but you get results super quick (and it's fun!). But lately I've needed to give Tracy a break (I still love you Tracy, don't worry, it's not goodbye forever).  I've been doing pilates and pure barre for the last few months and I'm really enjoying my workouts.  I joined The Balanced Life community because Robin's gentle approach is just what I need for my state in life.  Not to mention, I love her "grace over guilt" mentality... Her workouts are doable for a busy mama yet effective and - dare I say it -relaxing.  I look forward to my workouts everyday! 

- This recipe has been on my weekly menu.  It's good paired with just about anything and the mint adds such a refreshing touch.  I usually sub quinoa for cauliflower rice and sometimes add an avocado if I have a ripe one on hand.  

- A Whole 30 compliant tomato basil soup.  A perfect summer soup! It's so creamy, you won't believe it's dairy free. 

- Blue Apron membership // I recently tried blue apron as a little family experiment and it was so much fun!  The recipes we tried were a hit. I LOVED that I didn't have to think about what was for dinner or meal plan -- the meals we picked were all perfectly proportioned, surprisingly healthy, and easy to prepare.  I may do a separate blog post on our experience with this service incase any of you are interested in signing up! Overall, it was a fun departure from my regular recurring meals.

for the soul

- this talk by Fr. John Riccardo on the Spiritual Life of the Family.  I've listened to it 3 times already...it might even have inspired a future blog post.

- Fr. Thomas DuBay has been rocking my world. I read Prayer Primer and now I'm about 3/4 of the way through Fire Within.  These are books that have sat on my shelf since college and I've tried so hard to get through, but never felt like I was ready to tackle DuBay.  Brad recently read them and basically forced me to read them too so we could talk about it.  And y'all....it's so intense. (In a good, good way).  I can't recommend those two books enough if you're serious about advancing in the spiritual life.  

- And to accompany my DuBay readings, I've also been listening to Interior Castle on audio book.  There are no words for the greatness of St. Teresa of Avila's writings.  Well, there are a lot of words, but I'm sure DuBay has said them all so I'm just gonna leave it at that. 

what i'm watching (with glass of wine in hand)

Having a baby changes things.  Like going out for date nights on a regular basis...so Brad and I have a lot of stay-at-home pizza, wine, and a movie dates.  

Marie's Story // This is a captivating film (based on a true story!) that captures the beauty of humanity.  Marie's Story revolves around two French women: Sister Marguerite and her pupil, Marie, who is deaf and blind.  Where the world rejects Marie for her differences, Sister Marguerite simply recognizes her beauty.  She sees Marie through Divine eyes, loving and teaching her with a gentleness that showcases her dignity.  Just warning you...because this film is told with such depth and tenderness, you will probably cry your eyes out.  You've been warned!  One more thing: another favorite aspect about this film is the cinematography... The French scenery has stolen my heart...every frame is intentional, and there is not an ounce of wasted space.  A rare masterpiece.

Babette's Feast // After watching Babette's Feast for the first time, I am kicking myself for not watching it sooner.  It is a narrative  that dissects themes of family, sensuality, religious devotion, and austerity.  It speaks of all these things, but at it's core, it is deeply eucharistic.  Babette uses her training as a Parisian chef to produce a meal that entices all the senses -- a concept foreign to her Puritanical hosts.  The meal embodies the Gospel message - mainly, that God created this world out of love for us and should be celebrated, as long as those things point us back to Him.  But it also details the sacrifices one must make in order to create, and fully enjoy, such beauty.  Much like a crucified Christ, poor Babette gives of herself entirely to produce this magnificent meal.  The symbolism in Babette's Feast left me pondering some deep themes so only watch it if you're in the mood to have your world rocked. 

Downton Abbey SEASON 6 FINALLY ON AMAZON //  You may have heard of a little show called Downton Abbey.  I was *very* patient and waited until the last season came out on Amazon Prime because I somehow missed the entire series when it aired.  I sure will miss the world of Downton, but overall I'm happy with the ending.  

War & Peace //  Brad is a fan of Russian literature, so we watched this mini-series over the course of a few weeks of Tolstoy's adaptation.  It was beautifully executed -- the acting, costumes, sets, and cinematography were all breathtaking.  Highly highly recommend! And the darling Lily James plays Natasha, which for me is a plus. 

BRITISH BAKE OFF SHOW // Ok, so Brad didn't watch this one with me.  But I am addicted to this show!  It is so much fun to watch and I actually learn a few things from each episode. It turns me into a baking machine. I get into these baking zones where I need to make everything from scratch and I pretend to be a contestant waiting to be judged by Mary Barry.  Who knows if my baking has actually improved, but watching the bake off puts a smile on my face every time. 

You can find these shows either on Netflix or Amazon Prime if you're interested in watching.  As you can see we're a little bit obsessed with British people shows. Anything y'all have been watching recently and enjoyed?  We are always looking for something new to watch together. And to prove to you that we aren't as high cultured as it appears, Parks and Rec is probably our favorite show ever.  We're contemplating watching the entire season again for like the 100th time...it somehow never gets old for us! 

what i'm wearing

These shoes // I'm so picky when it comes to shoes and I rarely buy anything new unless I have to.  They have to be comfortable, stylish, and versatile; do you know how difficult that is to find?!  My mom came to town and forced me to get new sandals because my old ones were falling apart (literally...I have tape on them...).  I got these in recently and I think I've found my new favorite summer shoe.  Rejoice!

This dress has been on repeat // this is from a sweet company that makes ethically made dresses (and just launched a nursing friendly line called "latch").  It is the most comfortable thing to wear, and makes me feel good when I have it on.  I think this particular dress is out of stock, but be on the look out for more because she launches new styles each season. 

I love adding this Madewell bandana to an otherwise simple outfit. Still don't think I can really pull it off, but it's fun to wear so I'm gonna pretend to rock it anyway. 

pier's picks 

Books are his FAVORITE.  Honestly, they are the only things that keep him entertained (well, besides Daniel Tiger.  Can I tell you much I. LOVE. Daniel Tiger.).  His current picks are this book and this book.  He loves pointing to all the pictures and asking me what each thing on the page is. Right now he can clearly say "star", "bubbles", "flowers", "banana", "book", and "blue".  I catch him reading to himself and delicately turning each individual page.  It is the absolute sweetest.  

My mom recently bought him a shape puzzle and he is obsessed.  His current interest is shapes and colors and it's been so fun teaching him.  In case you're wondering, his favorite shape is the star...if a star is anywhere in his vicinity, the other shapes don't stand a chance. 

He's also loving this stacking toy by Green Toys and these French wooden blocks. Also this isn't a toy, but he loves flowers.  After books, I think they are his all time favorite. 

That's all I got!  Hope y'all are enjoying the rest of your summer weather.  

thank you Jesus for this day, my screaming child, and light up toys

My son hates his carseat.  I don't use that term lightly.  Pretty much since the day we brought him home from the hospital, Pier has fought me 98% of the time when I buckle him in.  This Monday morning was a particularly epic battle.  It consisted of kicking mama in the face, back arching, and snot-bubble-crying. It was 60 degrees outside and I was sweating.  It was very dramatic.

To think, it wasn't even 8 a.m. and I was all ready for my 5 p.m. glass of wine...don't you love Mondays? As I started driving, the screaming started to escalate and I knew I had to act fast if I didn't want a migraine before noon, so I began to fumble around the car looking for something -- anything -- that might appease my child.

Then I found it.  The toy that will make all my carseat problems disappear.  It was a gift from my sweet sister-in-law -- a play cell phone that lights up and makes all sorts of noise (the only toy we have of its kind).  I threw it back there and within seconds the crying stopped, immediately distracted by this lighty-up toy.  I took a deep breath and prayed this prayer: 

"Thank you Jesus for this day.  Thank you Jesus for my screaming child.  And thank you Jesus for light up toys." 
 

After this simple prayer of thanksgiving, I thought about something.  What about all the times that I've fought God the way my son fights me when I'm just trying to look out for his well being?  How many times have I fought God kicking and screaming when I'm doing something I don't want to do?  My next prayer consisted of being sorry for all the times I was difficult when God was trying to put me in my carseat.  I am his child after all, and children don't always do what they're told, nor do they fully understand the rules their parents set in place for their protection.  

Being receptive to God's will isn't always easy.  As Christians, we trust that Christ is our Divine Father, loving us more than our limited human understanding can comprehend.  He wants what is best for us.  "Best" meaning He wants us to reach the highest level of spiritual growth so that we may live full, beautiful lives that align with His design for creation.  And sometimes that requires a bit of self-denial, humility, and yes, suffering.  When things get hard, when things are out of our control, when life happens....what do we do?  We complain.  We want to give up.  We blame God.  How much easier would it be if instead of kicking and screaming, we trusted.  We trusted in His mercy, His forgiveness, and His encompassing love.  

If you think about it, what is the purpose of a carseat?  To keep you safe from physical harm. When riding in our metaphorical carseat, Jesus wants to keep us safe from spiritual harm.  The difficulties that cause us to kick and scream are for our betterment.  If everything were easy then we can't grow!  The struggles in life help us learn that we can't rely on our own strength.  We need God.  If we are vigilant in prayer, complete our daily duties with cheerful charity, and give thanks for the small crosses in our lives, the hard things don't seem so hard anymore.  And just as my son was distracted by a lighty-up toy, we're distracted by His Divine Light and we forget about what we were kicking and screaming about in the first place.  

Pier teaches me something about God every day.  Today it was as simple as putting a screaming baby in his carseat.  I'm grateful for this little boy, even in the difficult moments, because he surely softens my hardened heart.  Please know that I'm praying for all who read these words that the Lord may touch your lives today.  Have a beautiful week!