The Epic 272-Step Wooden Stairs at Lumberman's Monument, Michigan

Exploring the Heart of Huron-Manistee National Forests

We made it to Lumberman's Monument in the beautiful Huron National Forest! Located in Northern Michigan, this historic spot sits high on the bluffs overlooking the stunning Au Sable River.

The pathway naturally leads you right to a wooden staircase that goes down into the woods. After getting up close and personal with the serene Au Sable River, reality hit us: the only way back was to climb all the way up. Going down was a breeze, but going back up... OMG! 😱

The 272-step wooden stairs

According to the USDA Forest Service, this staircase has exactly 272 steps! Oh man... I was huffing, puffing, and literally staggering my way up. And Collie, further behind me, was capturing my entire struggle on camera. LOL!

Cooke Dam Pond

But after finally making it to the top, the ultimate reward was waiting for us. This is a true Michigan hidden gem that only those who survive the climb get to experience!

What you’re looking at is the Au Sable River, but this lake-like section is actually called Cooke Dam Pond. This pond was formed after a dam was built downriver in 1911.

The autumn colors were like this when we visited in October.

Highbanks Hiking Trail

Afterwards, we were strolling along a peaceful forest trail. But Collie suddenly started sprinting out of nowhere! |o| I was so stunned that I completely missed the perfect photo shot. So, I asked him to run all over again so I could capture it... 😄 

There's no stopping Collie...

Meanwhile, my calves were sore for days afterward... 😂 I thought I was exercising well, but those stairs completely blindsided me! Needless to say, I've added calf raises to my workout routine since then. 

However, it was truly a fun and unforgettable autumn day in Michigan. 

Wishing you a cozy autumn day 🍁

Rose

A Giant Red Chair at Krzysiak's House, Bay City, Michigan & A Hat 'Mystery'

After attending Sunday Mass, we headed over to a Polish restaurant, also located in Bay City. It’s a spot we’ve actually been to before for lunch.

Krzysiak's House Restaurant opened in 1973 and is famous for its authentic Polish flavors. The best part is their all-you-can-eat buffet where you can enjoy traditional dishes to your heart's content! They also have a wide variety of desserts, which is an absolute dream. It truly is perfect for trying a bit of everything.

Right outside the building, there it was—that familiar giant red chair! Since we visited in October, they had pumpkins sitting on its matching footrest for Thanksgiving.

Krzysiak’s 1605 Michigan Ave, Bay City, MI 48708

See? It really is giant, right? 😉

When we walked inside, a friendly lady passing by complimented my hat. That actually reminded me of a few days ago, when a sweet lady in the hotel elevator told me my hat was pretty. I just love that people here casually talk to me like that when I'm traveling from Japan.

Although we weren't having a meal here today, we took a moment to look at the buffet I remembered and browse through the indoor gift shop before moving on to our next destination. 

When I told Collie about my black hat compliments, he was like, “That could be taken two ways. Worst-case scenario is, they probably don't want to admit how great you look, so they praise the hat instead.” 😑 Gotta love his sense of humor...

By the way, he is Polish-American. If anyone out there knows, please tell me: is this classic Collie humor a Polish thing, or just his own way of being funny? 

🇵🇱

I’d love to come back for the buffet someday—but I’ll definitely need to bring a serious appetite for that! haha

Until next time, Rose

Living with Sincerity: A Sunday at St. Stanislaus Church, Bay City, Michigan

It was a beautiful Sunday in October. While Collie spends most of his weekdays staying at his mother's house to support her, the weekend was when he escaped for a drive up north to recharge and unwind. 

Our first stop was Bay City, Michigan. We made it just in time for the English mass at 11:30 AM.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church

1503 Kosciuszko Ave, Bay City, MI 48708

This stunning Neo-Gothic church was founded back in 1874 by Polish immigrants who settled in the area. The building we see today was constructed between the 1890s and early 1900s. It’s a beautiful local landmark that has been loved by the community for generations.

It is also known as the main church for Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish.

One of the wonderful things about Mass is that we can always find a nearby church to join, wherever we happen to be. It's a blessing to get to experience the unique atmosphere of each church.

The delicate Austrian stained glass gently filters sunlight into the sanctuary.

No one can predict what tomorrow brings. For now, my path is to focus honestly on what I can do today. It’s about figuring out the best step to take right now, and remaining flexible enough to adapt gently as things change.

I believe that as long as I walk my chosen path, living each day with sincerity and doing the best I can, God will always be watching over me.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

PSALM 121:7-8

A Sweet, Wistful Story of Dreamy Meijer and Mini Roses in Michigan

One of my favorite places to check out during my trip to Michigan is Meijer! It’s huge and has everything you need. Meijer is a massive supercenter that you can find all over Michigan.

For instance, look at this Meijer. Doesn't it just look like a dream? 

Established in Michigan in 1934, they embrace a 'heritage design' to bring a warm, welcoming feel to the local community.

Kroger is a standard supermarket, perfect for quick, casual grocery runs. In contrast, Meijer is a huge supercenter that covers everything from clothes and electronics to home furniture.

It might just be my personal take, but if Kroger feels masculine, Meijer feels feminine to me. Maybe it’s because of their cute brick storefronts that look like townhouses, and perhaps it's their red logo on a white background.

Inside the store, I found some beautiful mini roses. Their delicate charm was so captivating that I simply had to snap a photo. 

To be honest, I really wanted them, but I couldn't ask him directly. It wasn't that I just wanted to buy them myself; I was longing for the romance of receiving my favorite flowers as a gift from the person I love. So, I captured them in a photo instead.

Mini roses are my absolute favorite. But to be exact, I prefer ones that are even tinier than these. In this photo, they look like almost regular roses, don't they? So now, I tell myself it’s okay that he didn’t buy them. Haha!

Back at the house, we had a simple dinner with some leftover takeout salad and frozen dishes. The fall-themed napkins added a nice seasonal touch to the table.

    

Even so, those beautiful roses stayed on my mind during the rest of my stay. Before returning to Japan, while spending a quiet time alone at his house, I finally sent him an email gently explaining why I had wished for those flowers from him. When he came back home later, he smiled and said, 'Let’s go get you those roses!'

After that, we went back to Meijer a few times when we went out, but the mini roses weren't there anymore. He said, 'I'm sorry I didn't buy them for you at that time.'

I felt sorry that I couldn't see those roses again. However, in retrospect, I realize that what truly mattered was simply that he is safe and well. I believe there will be another chance for the roses.

May I encounter such beautiful roses in Michigan once again. And hopefully, at that dreamy Meijer.

Discovering the Historic Elegance of Clarkston, Michigan With Him

With the lingering warmth of a lovely lunch at 2 South Brunch House, we set off to explore downtown Clarkston, which welcomes you with a warm, refined charm.

Essence on Main, 4 S Main St, Village of Clarkston, MI

Before us stands Essence on Main, a gourmet specialty market. Its classic red brick architecture, echoing the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captures the very essence of Clarkston’s historic district.

Located about 34 miles northwest of Detroit, Clarkston is a small community tucked away in Oakland County.

My Michigan boy seems completely focused on our little expedition—his serious back is just too cute. ❤︎

Across the street, you can see a soft blue-grey building—Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen.  It’s a restaurant with a rich history, beautifully renovated from a church originally built in the 1840s. He took me inside to let me take in the atmosphere, fondly explaining how he used to be brought here as a child. 

Their signature dish is the legendary home-style Mac & Cheese. Right next door, the rustic brown brick building houses its sister property, a very popular American barbecue restaurant.

It looks like he’s on a serious smartphone mission...  :3

Back in Japan, I sent him all these back-view photos, and he actually got grumpy. I do want photos of his face, but every single time I aim the camera, he makes silly faces. -_-  I wish he’d just stay still for once! That said, his serious back views are so cute and special to me—I guess I just need to be a bit more selective about which ones I share with him.

Being Michigan's smallest incorporated city, Clarkston overflows with timeless elegance. With every step alongside him, past charming brick pathways and beautiful Victorian homes, I found myself completely captivated by its quiet grace.

I am grateful to share the story and soul of this tiny, picturesque town.

Rose

2 South Brunch House: A Memorable Brunch Experience in Clarkston, MI

Fall was just starting to color Michigan. Beforehand, Collie suggested taking me to a town called Clarkston that coming Saturday. Since I’d never been there before, he thought it’d be the perfect opportunity for me to see it. knowing I'm a foodie, he low-key expected me to check around. Sure enough, I immediately started researching and picked out the perfect brunch spot.

The restaurant I fell in love with was 2 South Brunch House in downtown Clarkston. More than anything, I was dying to try this dish.

Chicken Burrata

Chicken breast, burrata cheese, grilled tomatoes,

balsamic glaze, mixed greens, cheesy potatoes and pita

Seeing several photos of this dish in the reviews made me so eager to try it! It’s packed with so many delicious things and is super satisfying.

When Collie saw my plate arrive, his eyes went wide, and he was like, 'Wow, yours looks so good!' He’s usually too polite to try my food, but this time, I let him have a bite. 🤭

As for Collie, he ordered an omelet, which came with a choice of sides: a half order of pancakes, hash browns, or toast. He mentioned that he hadn’t had pancakes in a while, so he went with them as his choice.

My huge plate might be front and center here,😅 but choosing the Western from all the omelet options was such a solid, classic move for Collie.

Western Omelet

Ham, onions, green peppers, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese

with ½ order pancakes as a side

Both of us were amazed by the size and amount of the pancakes! He said he never expected a half order of pancakes to be this massive.

But honestly, those pancakes were absolutely delicious❤︎❤︎❤︎ (Yes, I totally snuck a taste.) Even though I had ordered a giant plate myself, I couldn't help but feel a little jealous of his...

As expected, neither of us could finish those huge pancakes, so we boxed up the leftovers—which ended up becoming a delicious meal for me a few days later.

2 South Brunch House

2 South Main Street Clarkston, Michigan 48346

I found out that Clarkston is the smallest incorporated city by land area in Michigan. It's a charming small town that is beautifully sophisticated and welcoming. It made me realize that there are still plenty of lovely towns in Michigan waiting for me to discover.

Here’s another shot of my plate, this time from the cheesy potatoes side. 😉

Just like their website says, 'Quality Ingredients Turned into Memorable Brunch Plates in Clarkston, MI,' it truly was a brunch experience I won't forget. And the impressive large portions they promise!

I’d love to go back again someday, especially for another taste of those pancakes! Apparently, they’re made from scratch using buttermilk. No wonder they tasted so good.

If you ever get the chance to go, their delicious, surprise-filled plates are sure to make you smile. 

Cozy Little Flower Styling: Cute Way to Decorate Broken Flowers

Looking for easy and budget-friendly ways to decorate with flowers? This simple floral styling trick is perfect for rescued broken stems. Turn a small accident into a beautiful, cozy corner. 

Collie prepared a beautiful bouquet for me in the kitchen, but sadly, some of the yellow marguerites had broken off.

So, I took out a tiny creamer and gently floated the flowers in the water. It feels as though these tiny flowers have been given a brand new life ☺️🌼

A casual, solo dinner while Collie is away—sautéed shrimp and bell peppers, brown bread, and a Labatt Blue. I sent this photo to a friend in Michigan, and she replied, “Such a wonderful size 💖”

Also in the photo is the cute box she packed with cookies and fresh zucchini bread for me.

On another solo night, I enjoyed some leftover salad from a restaurant, upgraded with a hard-boiled egg and a drizzle of mayo or Ranch dressing 🤭🥚  To be completely honest, it was actually the salad Collie ordered for himself the night before, and I just ended up finishing it off!

Whether it’s giving a broken flower a second life or turning yesterday’s leftovers into a cozy dinner, I love finding beauty and joy in these little things. It’s all about embracing life’s small accidents and making them a little more special.