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! 😊

Join me Kroger shopping in Birmingham, MI—then what?

Hello there! :)

Welcome back to Rose’s blog, where I share glimpses of life alternating between Michigan and Tokyo. This time, it’s Michigan’s turn!

Today, I’ll take you along on a little shopping trip to Kroger in Birmingham, Michigan. 

Kroger supermarket exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

One of the joys of traveling abroad is checking out local supermarkets. Just seeing what kinds of foods they have gets me so excited and makes it such a fun experience😊♪

Wow! So many organic bananas! They're so vibrant and beautifully fresh. The price is super reasonable too.

Kroger Mini Cinnamon Rolls so cute I couldn't resist snapping a photo!

Adorable Mini Cinnamon Rolls😍 Just looking at it makes me imagine bringing them to the office and saying, "Enjoy these with your coffee break♪" But since I'm already savoring the Cinnamon Rolls at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, these little ones are just for admiring today.

Dave's organic bread looks like something I'd definitely buy regularly and use for sandwiches if I were living in America. There are so many varieties, so I'd probably try them one by one. Unlike Japanese shokupan (sliced bread), the thin slices are perfect for me as a sandwich lover.

Holiday Inn Express exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

A brilliantly sunny day—almost dazzling! Having Kroger so close to the hotel is a huge plus. It's so convenient to just pop over whenever I need something.

Kroger-brand sea salt roasted pecans are something I always crave in Michigan—they're absolutely delicious! Plus pistachios that were on sale, and these cute little water bottles for the hotel that I was just drawn to.

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham room:

Delta blue slippers perfectly matching the blue wall by happy coincidence.

Back from shopping and unwinding in my serene room. The window lets in gentle sunlight, the white bed looks super comfy, and my Delta blue slippers blend aesthetically with the room.

So, what do you think I should do this afternoon, more exploring or just chilling? Now I'm wondering... The day is still young🌷

Visual Lunch Diary: 7 Bold Shots from Bistro Quatre Avril

Hi there! Today, I’m sharing 7 photos of the main dishes from the lunch menu at Bistro Quatre Avril, the place I often feature on this blog☆

"Ready? Let's feast your eyes!"

❶ November 3, 2024

Special de chef: Macaroni façon paella

<本日のスペシャル>シーフードたっぷりのマカロニのパエリア

❷ November 19, 2024

Entrecote sautée SP sauce avec gratin dauphinois

ビーフステーキ スペシャルソース グラタンドフィノワ添え

❸ January 21, 2025

Gratin de fruits de mer <限定>シーフードと野菜のグラタン

❹ February 11, 2025

Hachis parmentier

アッシパルマンティエ（マッシュポテトとひき肉のグラタン）

❺ February 25, 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

❻ March 20, 2025

Poulet roti à la provençale sauce BBQ avec gratin dauphinois

ローストチキン プロヴァンス風 BBQソース グラタンドフィノワ添え

❼ April 26, 2025

Special du jour: Roast-beef servir avec pureé de marron, topinambour et pomme de terre

<本日のスペシャル>ローストビーフ 栗と菊芋とジャガイモのピュレとともに

That’s it for this Visual Lunch Diary — I’ve shared 7 shots from my recent lunches. I hope you enjoyed this series of delicious moments😀

You can check out my previous post about Quatre Avril here:

Not a Bakery Croissant, but Bistro Quatre Avril’s Deeply Satisfying Handmade One.

Stay tuned—I'll keep bringing you Quatre Avril's powerful yet elaborate dishes through the impactful photos!

My Favorite Way to Enjoy Hot Biscuits: Day Two Breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham

Here’s a look at my Day Two breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham, Michigan!

I grabbed a cinnamon roll, a biscuit, hash browns, a sausage patty, and omelets (one egg white veggie, one regular). A banana too! Fresh coffee is a must ❤︎ of course, and a little orange juice.

♪ A plate loaded with all my handpicked favorites ♪

Here’s the post that really focuses on the signature cinnamon roll from Day One.

→Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Day One—Plus the Sweet Story Behind the Cinnamon Rolls

Right now, let me show you my favorite way to enjoy this breakfast. I love making a little sandwich by putting the sausage patty inside the warm biscuit. The mildly sweet biscuit with a bit of syrup on top plus the savory sausage makes a sweet-and-salty combo absolutely irresistible.

I’ll keep enjoying my style of having a warm biscuit with a sausage patty inside😊

+*+*+* A little side story +*+*+*

I had three different mini chocolates from Whole Foods on the dresser, just for the cuteness, planning to enjoy them one by one… but somehow, one of them mysteriously disappeared.

The one that went missing was the blue coconut milk chocolate, which was such a letdown for me. The only small silver lining is that coconut isn’t really my favorite, but still, coming back to the room and finding it gone was a total shock😳 When I told Collie, he was surprised too and said it might be because I didn’t leave much of a tip—though of course, that still doesn’t make it okay. I even asked AI about it, and it said that small treats sometimes get eaten by the housekeeping staff, so if you don’t want them to disappear, it’s best to put them away… which honestly left me with mixed feelings😔

I once read that in a survey of Americans, about 70% said they don’t leave a pillow tip, so I figured even one dollar would be better than nothing. Still, the next day I decided to leave two dollars. Collie said I really should leave at least three dollars, or even five, but coming from Japan, where there’s no tipping culture, two dollars seemed like all I could manage.

So, I’m off to Kroger now.  Stay tuned for my little exploration report next time!