I introduce Wisdom...stuffed owl❤︎ My healing at the office desk.

Hi this is Rose. Today, I introduce my cute stuffed animals. Aren't they sooooo cuute!? 😍

I aim to become an minimalist, but there are things I will possess; these cuties absolutely!

I am working at the advertising agency in Tokyo. The location is pretty nice. I can walk to Ginza, Siodome, and of course Shinbashi itself. Actually, a few steps to Ginza (less than 1 minute) and Shiodome is within 5-minute walk.

Now I belong to Planning Solution Dept., Communication Design Div., struggling to improve my skill to master several Ad systems. Last year,  I passed an Microsoft exam and became an Excel specialist. Excel technique is much involved in those Ad systems. I am tense surrounded by researchers, who are called brains of the company.

I used to work at the subsidiary company, which was like Creative Dept. with designers and copywriters in the head company. A few years ago, it was merged into the head company. Some employees were fired, and I remained (was given a chance) as a contract employee new at the head office.

Actually, I have been working hard to get approval from head office's people. I had to admit the level of the head office is higher than the subsidiary. It was a great chance to show my presence. My previous company was in the same building as the head office, but I had been at the small world for many years because I hadn't had an enough chance to connect with the head office's departments, however, I have been expanding my presence at the whole head company recently.

There were many times I got depressed...even this week. There is room for further consideration.

These owls, "Happiness" (I named) are my healing. Sometimes, I take one of them in my hand, or...just looking at them brings me comfort.

Do you have something to give you relief? At the office, these owls're my solace. I love my cuties💕

sit back and relax with a pair of dark pink flowers

Every time I visit his house, Collie prepares flowers to show his gratitude for my stay, and, he wants me to feel happy. Larger one for the dining table, and smaller one for my (would-be) room.

This time, I requested that just small one for the dining table should be appreciative if he kindly prepares flowers for me, and one for the guest room (my room😬) should not be necessary.

The thing is...I appreciate his warm thoughts, but it's somewhat troublesome to change the water of flower vases.... I like flowers, but after all, I am indolent about it. I bring my energy into everyday exercise rather than changing the water.

This time, he didn't put flowers on the table of my room as I requested, however, there were TWO vases on the dining table.

                                 （－－） 

I said to him, "Wow! Collie...! It is so lovely, thank you very much💖".
So...I changed the water of two vases every day.

Flat bars are so-called DRIED FRUIT, which Collie adores. At TRADER JOE'S, fancy design of each one stimulated his interest and he couldn't help buying several kinds of flat bars.

I chose one bar of KIND "dark chocolate cherry cashew" for myself. In Japan, I privately import KIND bars through iHerb, but they are much cheaper in U.S.A. I like KIND concept; "do the king thing for your body...". There are so many kinds of KIND bars. As for this one, raisins and cranberries as well as cherry, 170 calories, and 4g protein. You can enjoy nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate together in a healthy way. It is well-balanced, I think.

He went for work. Now, I am leisurely spending time by myself. So comfortable here that it's hard to believe I was working late in Japan.

I wrote a brief letter to my friend, read some articles on Japanese information bulletin from a Japanese grocery store, and checked my mobile...

It was raining. I was hoping it would stop in the afternoon so that I could go out to downtown on a bicycle.

⭐︎upscale casual atmosphere⭐︎ CENTER STREET GRILLE in NORTHVILLE

After a quick look at one world market in Novi, we drove back to Northville. Northville was such a fantastic town, that Collie suggested dining out there. While we were walking at downtown Northville in daylight, I noticed a fine sidewalk cafe, and he remembered I said, "I want to come here sometime!".

I do remember he checked this restaurant name, however, coming back here "today" was a wonderful surprise! Today - the day I arrived in Michigan, all the way from Japan.

Collie is cute😍

CENTER STREET GRILL is located on the North CENTER STREET, one of the fascinating streets in downtown Northville. The time was almost 8 o'clock in the afternoon, in September.

It's pleasant to dine out, seeing a lovely scenery in the open air, isn't it? Accompanied a special one...😘

With a glass of white wine, a cafe time would be elegant all the more...anytime.

My glass of wine with buildings in the background is －

This♪

Hmmm.... The taste is quite light, but it's not bad for a house wine. Maybe I'll try chardonnay in some other places....place"s"!?

Buildings across the street. 

In portrait mode. 

Collie's appetizer was served. It is quite difficult to photograph because it's already getting dark outside.

Faint lights of the buildings. Is the architecture of these buildings Queen Anne style, I wonder? It is romantic in the twilight.

It's just like a dollhouse! What a lovely house it is! Or....is it twilight magic? Possibly it happens.

Collie's steak in the dim light. He was not asked how he'd like his steak cooked when ordering, and it was served well-done. Looks like very well-done.  (・・。)  Sirloin filet? Mashed potatoes look good, though.

Oh, Collie... When looking at the menu, he said that he hadn't had steak since he had it at the Italian restaurant with me in Japan in January. "Can I eat steak? I haven't had steak recently." Also, he said, "That is the most delicious steak I've ever had." We should visit the Italian restaurant in Japan, together again. By the way, we were not asked how we'd like steak done in Japan, neither. However, it was cooked medium-rare, and it delighted him.

Rose ordered Shrimp Salad. I could barely take a visible picture in the dark.

Baby spinach, jumbo chilled shrimp, diced avocado, feta, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions. Served with house bread, and ginger dressing. SO healthy!

Actually, I was attracted by a burger(with vertically arranged french fries...I saw them on the other people's table). I should have just pocketed my pride.... (- -)

Oh well, abundant ingredients help me control my weight...

 

Next time... Next time, I want to order a burger with french fries. Sandwiches on the menu look good, too. If there are ones with fries.   ← a must

There are plenty of attractive restaurants in Northville, though. CENTER STREET GRILLE is one of them. Yes, it gives us an upscale casual atmosphere.

What I bought this time at ONE WORLD MARKET, NOVI

I came back to ONE WORLD MARKET. It is a Japanese grocery store in Novi, which has the largest Japanese population in Michigan.

There is something I'd like to get again...

It is described "Japanese Grocery & Sushi"... Hmm, "Sushi". It's true that I saw wide variety of box sushi lunch last time.

Here it is~~~. |(^o^)/ I found it! I liked TAKAOKAYA tea bags of HOUJI-CHA.

Rich in roasted aroma, and satisfactorily strong in a mug. I can't find TAKAOKAYA tea in my living area, so I'll get one here in Novi♪ It is more tasty than HOUJI-CHA I usually buy in Tokyo.

HOUJI-CHA is roasted green tea. A high-temperature roasting process turns green tea a rich, toasty brown. By roasting, caffeine is much reduced to an extra low and you can drink it as an evening treat. Roasted tea is body-warming as opposed to green tea. HOUJI-CHA is my daily drink💜

This time, I bought (Collie bought😄...) this type of HOUJI-CHA additionally, though the price is never be reasonable like TAKAOKAYA. Actually....it was not as good as the price for me. It depends on each one's taste, though.

Just before Collie checked out at the register, I put one box of icebox cookies into his shopping basket😝  A small box contains a loooot of elaborate cookies❤︎ It looks yummy, isn't it!?

I was curious why there were cookies made in New Jersey among Japanese bread section. A Japanese grocery is selling New Jersey cookies.

Maybe I could bring it to my office as a souvenir. I was keeping it on the dining table at his house. However...later on, Collie said, "I want to eat."

（－－）Ouch.

 It stimulated his interest. He wants to taste it and know how he likes it. So, I opened a clear box and shared a few cookies with him. It is sweet quite moderately. What a gentle taste it has! I realized why it is sold at this grocery where Japanese people come to seek Japanese foods. It really makes sense. For Japanese people, "It is delicious because it's not so sweet." is a line to praise sweets. This cookie must be unsatisfactory for Collie.

Collie "It is delicious."      ← on a  serious expression

（－－）.....

Therefore, New Jersey icebox cookies became a treat for us while I was in Michigan.

P.S. Don't worry about white powder which looks like mold at first glance. You notice white suspicious objects on cocoa dough, however, it is flour. When Collie called ONE WORLD MARKET to ask, a clerk answered right away because they'd asked a New Jersey maker before. Some other people seem to have had same doubt as me.

They are kind of cookies you can also enjoy as a breakfast with coffee. What's more, icebox cookies are fun to see. Milk tea is an awesome idea, I think.

HEALING STYLE* a soothing piano piece for you

When my nerves were so worn down that I couldn't put my head into anything, a breathtaking piano piece https://youtu.be/5vO5HuphDnM helped me unwind...

Ginza, Tokyo

I felt refreshed, and restored a peaceful, happy state of mind.

Since then, whenever I feel anxiety, or want to feel relaxed, I come back to this music.

Lively and beautiful! The Queen Anne style architecture around Downtown Northville

Northville is a lively city, with a 150-year old history. The area is a suburb of Metropolitan Detroit.



I appreciate I could visit Downtown Northville. No sooner had we arrived and looked out over the city than I felt so. There are still more cities I haven't seen in Michigan!



For me, it is interesting that these houses which were probably built for families are being used as shops, beauty salons, or offices. Although I like this style. It's cute⭐︎

"When the business is a modest scale, using this kind of house is just right.", Collie says.
There is not an office building nor an eight-story building here. That's what's great about this city.



This house reminds me of the atmosphere in Frankenmuth...



STARBUCKS is in an unique building here in Northville.



Collie "Visiting Northville is a good choice!"
He is really impressed by the city of Northville. I am happy about it😊 Yes, I DO like this cityscape!

Downtown Northville is a larger scale than we thought. Seeing a signboard showing Maps of Downtown Northville, I was surprised at the many streets and districts which include a variety of shops and restaurants.



People are enjoying an open-air cafe. How pleasant it must be in early autumn.  Cool!

A left shadow on the road is Rose's. Shadows lengthen in the evening. 

Nothville was originally one of two communities within Plymouth Township for over 70 years. Northville got its name by being north of Plymouth.



Northville continued to grow throughout the Victorian era (1837~1901). We can see the feature in the architecture around downtown, which is evidently the Queen Anne style.

Northville was first settled in 1825, incorporated as a village in 1867 from a portion of Plymouth Township. Later, as a city in 1955.

Come over to see Queen Anne style architecture in Downtown Northville!



It reminds me of Mackinaw City.



However, it is creating a Northville atmosphere itself.



Oh...again...😆  It reminds me of Rochester.... Still, it is real Northville.



Many of first settlers were originally from New York, who'd already settled in Plymouth and then came to Northville.

How lovely these buildings are, aren't they!?



This is a picture Collie took. He finds his style into more nature in the city than me. My pictures are full of architectures in every city rather than nature.



Collie told me that it's a chance to take the second picture because the light was not behind the house. That is right! I took a backlit photo of this brown house at first, when we started walking.

So, I photographed this house again. He sometimes tells me about a backlight. Collie is kind💚

I'm happy to have taken enough photos before it gets dark. Northville is lively...and beautiful!



When we were leaving by car, I noticed a glittering sun through the trees.

The setting sun was magically beaming out its light.  And it was mystical.

Mill Race Village - Saved buildings became a historic fairyland in Michigan.

At dusk in September, we visited Mill Race Village in Northville. It was still a time when the sunset sun was dazzling.

The other request of mine was visiting Northville besides Trader Joe's. Collie had never been in Northville either. It was a little surprise for me that he, raised and living in Michigan hadn't come yet to Northville. And a surprise turned into joy since we can have a new experience together! Isn't it wonderful to be given a fresh perspective to both of us?

Actually, we didn't know this place. When we got off the car and began taking a walk in downtown Northville, it led us to the site. A fairytale land full of beautiful nature and dreamy houses. 

"What is this place?"

This is a historical village. It is established to relocate buildings which was faced with demolition! 

Wash Oak School. How lovely! For example, this building served Wathtenaw and Oakland counties as an one-room school from 1873 to 1966. It was moved to the village in 1975. 

These buildings look built here, but, no...moved here. 😮！

Today, Wash Oak School is still used as a classroom in the village. 

Mill Race Village is preserved by the Northville Historical Society through volunteer efforts and donations. 

As if we were in a hidden place we saw in dreams. How rich in history Northville is, to have such a peaceful emvironment in the center of town! 

New School Church. Built in 1845 by a splinter group of the presbyterian Church of Northville. It served as a church for only 4 years. Later, it was used as a school, a township hall, a Salvation Army barracks and as Northville's library for 70 years. 

In 1972 when the Mill Race Village was established, the City of Northville donated the New School Church to the Northville Historical Society, and it was the first structure moved to this site.

I was deeply impressed with half a century of preservation of Northville's rich history. It is managed by a non-profit volunteer organization.

Beautiful landscapes became a special moment of mine.

Light shines on the house...

And it catches my eyes from a variety of different angles. 

On the arrival day, I was blessed by nature in Northville, Michigan. 

You can bring together your friends to enjoy historical buildings and well-kept gardens...or, just yourself♪

Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk, from June through October. 

Gazebo. Modeled after late Victorian era style gazebos, it was added to the Village in 1979.

Plentiful greenery is soothing. 

A tiny house on the left has got me curious... Be sure to let me know when you know.😉

Cady Inn. Believed to be an early coach shop, the salt box style building was moved to the Village in 1987 from the north side of Cady street, two blocks east of Center Street. 

Collie seems to be attracted by this Village, too. Northville made a good impression on us...surely.