Hot Biscuit Happiness at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

Personalized “GOOD MORNING” message + breakfast bliss!

During my stay at Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham, Michigan, I noticed a welcome message on the TV screen that said “GOOD MORNING” along with my name. It made me feel kind of happy and appreciated, so I took a photo of it to show Collie, since I’d already told him what a nice touch it was.

While it was still a bit dark outside, I headed down to the breakfast area, feeling warmly welcomed — but only after finishing my usual morning workout!

Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express is a simple pleasure to begin the morning🥰

This morning, I tried my favorite way to eat the hot biscuits again. I split the biscuit and sandwiched a grilled sausage patty inside. I settled at the window-side counter seat to savor my breakfast.

Hehe, it kinda looks like a cute little burger, doesn't it? ^^  And it pairs so well with coffee! ♡

Of course, the biscuit is also delicious with butter and syrup ♪♪♪

The cinnamon rolls, diced potatoes, omelets — everything pairs so well with coffee, making it a morning full of treats!

This time around, I zoomed in on the hot biscuits — one of Holiday Inn Express's warm food highlights.

After enjoying breakfast as usual, I returned to my room. The personalized “GOOD MORNING” message is still on the TV screen. Let me take a commemorative photo!

On the upper right side of the wall, you can see the slightly wrinkled wallpaper that I cropped out in my previous room photo post.

As I mentioned in that previous post too, fixing this wallpaper crease would cost almost nothing and dramatically improve the hotel's image. It's such a shame because the room has such a nice, calming atmosphere otherwise.

Little details like this can make such a big difference. Even so, I had a wonderful stay — stay tuned for my Birmingham walking tour next😊

Rose (Eiko)

Soft Snow, Soft Slippers, and a Soft Heart

❄️ A Gift Waiting in the Snow

When I visited Collie in Michigan last year, I saw his old pair of slippers at home — they were completely worn out, with some parts almost coming apart. They were the men’s house slippers I’d bought at a shop in Narita Airport ages ago. Collie smiled and said, “I really like these, you know.^^”

I was so touched that he’d kept using my gift for such a long time🥺  But… it’s been, what, 17 or 18 years?? Can you believe it? So from Japan, I searched online for a pair of men’s slippers as similar as possible and decided to send them to him.

He said, “You don’t have to get. I still use the previous slippers you got me, even if they’re old.”  I couldn’t find the exact same ones, but I told him, “Wear the old ones as long as you love them, and then enjoy the new pair whenever you’re ready😊”

And that’s how the slippers I ordered through Amazon.com finally made their way to Collie’s home.

Collie:

I haven’t been home for a few days. Today, I came back just as the sun had set. It was the first day above 0 degrees Celsius in about 22 days. The snow was soft, so I started shoveling because it would freeze again at night. While I was by my rear door, I happened to notice a package there. An unusual spot... but when I looked closer, I realized it might be from you.

Rose:

Your slippers must be happy to have been found by you. Were they resting near the rose bushes? Maybe the Amazon delivery person thought that, with all that snow around, the spot would be a little more hidden from the street.

Thank you Rose! 🤗

They are great👍🏻 !!!

Collie 🙋‍♂️⚘️

A few days had passed since the delivery, but I was so happy to know the package finally reached him safely. I didn’t tell him right away—it was snowing so much in Michigan, and I didn’t want him to have to go all the way back just for that.

I'm so touched that he's used those slippers for so many incredible years. And I also think the new ones would make a lovely next chapter.

But apparently, Collie hasn’t even cut off the tag yet...😅  Maybe the transition to his new slippers will take a little while—and that’s okay.

Collie... From now on, all your slippers will be there to welcome you home every time you return.

Love isn’t about grand gestures, but about

the little moments that keep our hearts connected.

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with warmth, kindness,

and the simple joy of loving and being loved.

Google Duo's Magical Animations: Cat-on-Head Moments Close to My Heart

Google Duo's cat animation feature: 

A comical animated cat clinging to my head, moving its head and expressions

Remember Google Duo's magical animations? I used to record my own videos using the fun animation feature and send them to Collie—pure joy! Here are some screenshots I captured back then. Sadly discontinued now, but let's cherish these memories. What was your favorite Duo moment?

My favorite was the cat animation. When I tapped the cat icon🐱 during recording, a cat would appear, clinging to my head, and move its head while changing expressions!

The Google Duo app featured playful effects for video messages. When Google Duo was integrated into Google Meet in 2022, Duo's core features were temporarily carried over within the Meet app but were gradually phased out.

The comical cat expressions were so much fun! I took the video in February 2025. The animation effects were still available then, but sadly, you can no longer send personal animated videos like this at all today.

Look at the cat rubbing against me! This one is my absolute favorite. (Sorry about the apron-over-bare-skin look in the Collie video—I was just goofing around in my room😅)

Apparently, the reason Google Duo disappeared wasn't because it was free, but because video messages were a niche feature limited to some users. For us in a long-distance relationship, Google Duo was such a convenient feature... That's why I'm cherishing these memories.

Today, I've shared these precious memories to save those happy times. Thanks for joining me in reliving them—let's cherish our Duo memories together😺✨

Love, Rose

Collie's Sweet Outdoor Pick at sweetgreen + My Paired Decaf Idea

It’s Friday evening, and we’re having a healthy dinner full of veggies at a charming café in Birmingham, Michigan. I’m on a date with Collie! I've already decided on my order—sweetgreen’s Autumn Harvest Bowl, hands down.

The brown building on the left is sweetgreen. https://www.sweetgreen.com/locations/birmingham

Featured Menu: Autumn Harvest Bowl 

Close-up of sweetgreen's 2025 Autumn Harvest Bowl: roasted chicken, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, organic shredded kale, roasted sweet potatoes, wild rice, goat cheese, roasted almond, apples, and balsamic vinaigrette.  It's more packed than I expected—such a generous portion!

My blue one is their eco-friendly still water in an aluminum can; Collie's orange Spindrift Grapefruit is bubbly seltzer with zesty grapefruit (his looks way more tempting...😅).

Customized for Meatless Friday Tradition

Following Catholic Friday no-meat practice, Collie customized his salmon bowl with two kinds of cheese, broccoli, and other veggies. 

Collie said he loves how you can customize your own unique dish just how you like.

Great that my research paid off—finding a spot Collie would love!

But I just realized I'd forgotten my own Friday abstinence and ordered the featured chicken dish...😂

Autumn Harvest Bowl & Customized Meatless Friday Bowl

eco-friendly still water & bubbly grapefruit seltzer

It turned into such a lovely Friday date because, although we first tried to grab seats inside, Collie suggested the outdoor table—what a great idea! Enjoying dinner with a Downtown Birmingham view in that comfy weather was pure bliss! 

Sweetgreen shines by offering fresh, seasonal ingredients in an easy yet delicious way. Healthy salads, bowls, and protein plates—you should try them too🎵

❤︎　❤︎　❤︎

I suggested we enjoy decaf coffee together at the Holiday Inn Express. It's in the breakfast area, but the coffee machine is available 24/7 for both regular and decaf options. When it's dark, sensors turn on the lights. Freshly brewed cup by cup and available anytime—love that convenience. Sharing these hotel perks with Collie makes me so happy.

❤︎

In the end, Collie and I never once got to share breakfast in that area. His top priority was helping his mother, who now lives alone in a wheelchair. I totally get it, but it leaves a slight tinge of sadness... Still, our brief date during his busy schedule was special. We chatted for a while, and that coffee we sipped together was delicious—just as I'd hoped he'd enjoy it when I recommended it.

◆ Quick Update ◆

To save money, I'd been skipping AC heating in favor of a mini heater. But I learned even a small one costs more after an hour or so—modern ACs in auto mode apparently use less power. Now I limit the mini heater to under an hour and run the AC heat at a low temp for a few hours a day. First time using it since moving into this apartment! The room's softly warm this winter, making my heart feel a touch richer😊

Hearty Elegance in Every Bite: 5 Days of Lunch & Dessert at Bistro Quatre Avril

As usual, here's a Visual Lunch Diary from my go-to bistro, Quatre Avril—this time featuring lunch and dessert. Hearty yet elegant, just what I needed on a chilly afternoon. (Dessert isn’t part of the lunch set: starter, main, and coffee.) 

Let's dive right in!

❶ December 26, 2024

Poulet rotis à la Provençale sauce moutarde de meaux, servir avec des legumes de salson

プロヴァンス風ローストチキン マスタードソース 季節の野菜添え

Buche de Noel du chef

シェフのブッシュドノエル

❷ February 4, 2025

Entrecote sautée aux quatres poivres avec pomme rotie

ビーフステーキ 4種の胡椒ソース ローストポテト添え

Quatre-quart chocolat et Natsu-mikan

ショコラと夏みかん🍊のカトルカール

❸ February 13, 2025

Roulade de cuisse de poulet aux legumes avec riz pilaf au carotte

チキンロール 野菜巻き キャロットピラフ添え

Pain rond maison(Homemade round bread) 手作りの丸パン

🥖 Not technically dessert, but perfect with coffee! 😆😛😁

❹ February 27, 2025

Escalope de porc panné sauce Milanaise avec pate

エスロカップ（ミラノ風カツレツ） パスタ添え

Brownie aux cacahuetes

ピーナッツ入りブラウニー

❺ April 5, 2025

Entrecote sautée sauce creme aux echalottes avec purée de pomme et legumes de saison

ビーフステーキ クリームエシャロットソース マッシュポテトと季節の野菜添え

Bavarois aus fraises

🍓イチゴのババロア

How was it? Bistro Quatre Avril is a cozy spot serving warm French country cuisine—generously portioned yet refined in presentation, with thoughtful healthy cooking methods too.

The mains were all meat-heavy this time, right? Come winter, steaks and thick cutlets appear—and my eyes turn to hearts😍 Always plump, juicy, and delicious, which is this bistro's signature charm.

Check out my previous Quatre Avril Photo Diary here♪：

Visual Lunch Diary: 7 Bold Shots from Bistro Quatre Avril

Revisiting Birmingham: Keurig Lessons & Dreamy Homes

After finishing my morning exploration at Kroger, I was relaxing in my hotel room when I heard a knock on the door.

It was one of the hotel staff members. He energetically said he’d show me how to use the Keurig.

The thing is, earlier I’d tried using the Keurig but it wouldn’t work properly, so I thought it was broken. I'd gone to the front desk with Collie, who explained the issue to the receptionist. This staff member must have been contacted by the front desk and came to help, demonstrating step-by-step while brewing me a fresh cup of coffee.

The Keurig worked perfectly, as if nothing had happened😳 Huh, that’s strange—when I tried following the instructions earlier, it wouldn’t start at all😥... Plus, he didn’t come just to check on it; from the get-go, he jumped in and said he’d teach me how to use it.

Maybe before he came, he or someone else had already checked it and found it wasn't broken, so he came back to give me a proper lesson? It worked so flawlessly—like a completely different machine—that I felt a bit embarrassed.

I thanked the lively staff member and enjoyed the coffee. It wasn't quite as tasty as the brew at the hotel's breakfast area, but being able to have coffee anytime in my room is pretty nice..😅

So, with that little coffee adventure wrapped up, I headed out for a walk. This time, I strolled along the street behind the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

What kinds of houses can I spot around here? Walking through Birmingham and admiring these dreamy homes is such a refreshing and delightful experience.

Revisiting those moments makes them feel fresh and alive again, like I'm living a brand new story right now. That's the magic of travel blogging! My Birmingham strolling journey has that perfect "next chapter" vibe—hoping you're going to love following along!

Later, I told Collie that the Keurig coffee machine hadn't been broken after all, and we tried to go apologize to the front desk staff. But the guy who was there at the beginning had been replaced by someone else, and we never saw him again during my stay.

Maybe I'll try brewing coffee with the Keurig in the hotel room again some other day—while I still stay here. This time, on my own 😌

A Heartwarming Starbucks Treat: Savoring Mindfully in a Ceramic Mug

It’s been quite chilly these days. After walking outside in the cold, there’s nothing better than warming up with a hot drink in a cozy spot.

I usually just grab beans at Starbucks to brew coffee at home, but one day a staff member kindly pointed out I'd won a free drink on my receipt. Naturally, I chose my special cup to savor in the store. 

Steam was gently rising from the warm drink, making it all the more inviting. Actually, a few days later, I returned to Starbucks, having decided what I wanted to order.

The matcha latte was a tall size, made with oat milk and no syrup. Another friendly staff member kindly suggested, "We can add whipped cream too♪" 

This little bonus during my Starbucks visit was a gentle gift of a moment. They even let me sample today's coffee.

You can request a ceramic mug for in-store drinks at Starbucks—short or tall sizes work well for this. Unfortunately, paper cups have a plastic lining that can leach microplastics into hot beverages. I love drinking coffee from paper cups, though.

The matcha latte, with its soft color and flavor, now blended seamlessly with the whipped cream for a richer, creamier taste.

I usually go to Starbucks just for beans and skip drinking coffee there, and it's not only because of the paper cup issue. It's also about saving money. Plus, at home, I can brew it just the way I like with plenty of water to my taste.

Unexpected gestures from the staff, like a free drink and coffee sample, turned an ordinary Starbucks visit into something truly special. Opting for a ceramic mug over paper cups lets us enjoy these moments mindfully—free from microplastic worries—while savoring flavors just the way we love them at home or in-store.

 ◆ Quick Update ◆

I saw a post on SNS saying 70% of Japanese people aren't using their AC for heating! Some are even layering up with coats at home to get by. AC heating costs quite a bit more than cooling, after all. I'm the same—skipping AC heat myself and just using a small ceramic heater occasionally or snuggling on an electric underblanket, covered with my bedding. Let's all stay warm without getting sick! 😊