Sunday, September 13, 2015

What I'm Reading // Summer 2015

Papered Pine: What I'm Reading


When people ask me what I'm interested in, I always answer with reading. I have been an avid reader my whole life and love snuggling up with a blanket and hot beverage to a good book. It is probably why I love Fall so much. Actually, books are for every season. What I wouldn't give to be lounging on a beach somewhere with a book in my hands.

This was an incredibly hot summer in Germany. There were a couple days in July that were even record-breaking. Of course, I had a sun hater (aka baby) for the glorious weather so I couldn't leave the apartment too often. My baby is a vampire. She shields her eyes any time she gets close to a sun- filled window.

I still managed to read two books and would like to share a small review with you.

1 // Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
Rating: 4/5

If you've ever read Murakami, you will know that he can make real life seem almost like fantasy. It's like you don't know whether to believe the event actually happened. That is how I felt for most of this novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, though, and would recommend it to anyone. It is a short book and it captivated me into reading it fairly quickly.



2 // Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Rating: 5/5

I absolutely LOVED this book. It was nothing like I thought it would be. It is a post apocalyptic novel, but it focuses on the characters more than the catastrophe. I seriously don't want to say any more, because you should definitely read it as soon as possible.


If you've read these books, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Next up on my read list is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Memory Keeping and Project Life

Memory keeping.

                       How I Started Memory Keeping // Papered Pine


I have only recently begun to get my photos off of digital land and into albums. It all started when I decided to document my daughter's first year. I was taking an incredible amount of pictures and, after snapping the picture, would rarely go back to look at them. I just didn't know where to begin. Scrapbooking wasn't for me. I had tried it back in High School and didn't exactly like the look. And making an entire album seems like it would take forever.

And then I stumbled upon a couple of Instagram accounts that really stood out to me. It's this thing called Project Life and it really spoke to me. Here was my inspiration, if you'd like to check them out:






And there you have it. I am now addicted to memory keeping. I am still trying to figure out "my style", and I can't wait to share the pages I have done so far for 2015.

Friday, September 11, 2015

The Beginning

This is the beginning of me sharing my life to the world. More specifically, me sharing my craft life with you. Because let's be honest, this blog will be mainly art, crochet, and pictures... and I wouldn't have it any other way. I will gracefully grow into my aging years.

I guess I should start out with introducing myself: 

I am 29 years old. 



I am married.



I am a new mom.


I am from Oregon.


I am now in Germany.


I once was in South Korea.


I graduated from Washington State University and lived with the greatest girls in the world.





My life, thus far, has been unbelievably kind. Things fell into place with my "go with the flow" attitude. 

I am trying to act with more purpose now that I'm ending my twenties. Life isn't as giving when you get older. But I know with just a little nudge from my end, everything will go just right. 

So follow along and enjoy. Comment if you'd like. Friends are welcome here. 
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