April 30, 2019

We love House Salad with Olive Garden's signature Italian dressing♪

Olive Garden ITALIAN KITCHEN is an American chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine.


Family Style Dining... However, it is something for many of us (including Collie & Rose).


We often go to Olive Garden to eat House Salad, served with their signature Italian dressing. Its freshly sour taste mixed together with vegetables is the reason that makes us come back again. 

And freshly-baked Breadsticks. I can't resist the garlic butter scent that warm breads give off when I hold one piece in my mouth.

Salad and bread are so great that I could eat only these two with beer or wine without a main dish....if it is OK at the restaurant. Probably not..


So, I ordered a simple meal (almost a kind of appetizer) for myself.  Spinach-Artichoke Dip, a blend of spinach, artichokes and five cheeses served warm with house-made pasta chips.

Draft Bud light is mine♪     Collie, seated facing me, ordered -


Shrimp Scampi, I think. Creamy pasta tossed with sautéed shrimps and bell peppers... It seems that he customized the menu..?  :3  Looks good, though.


Like a vegetarian who can eat dairy products. Anyway, it must go with wine, too.

Collie's shrimp was great, too. ^^(←got Collie's food again...)


There are free refills for the House Salad.  It really tastes amazing! 

Would you like to go to Olive Garden?  I'd like to go!  I DO miss House Salad and Breadsticks.


April 29, 2019

Childlike innocence☆ Christmas Trees in Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, Michigan

Just as many people in Michigan do, I think Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is a fun place to go. It is an enclosed shopping mall, located in a region of Auburn Hills, a northern suburb of metro Detroit, Michigan, United States.


When you enter the building, you must feel as if you were at the amusement park, or the festival. Yes, it is an "excited" feeling. 


Looking at Collie who stands in black from a distance, I will come over the wall to explore.


Christmas Trees! 

Possibly it might be a pleasant surprise for you to know how Christmas Trees were displayed in the mall where you haven't been to. It is not large-scale, but something you find attractive. You smile with childlike excitement...


Collie let me stand in front of one tree to take a picture with his smartphone. I was still working in Japan on Christmas Day, but I was happy to see Christmas decorations here in the United States. In Japan, Christmas trees are put away after December 25th. 


Christmas spirit doesn't end on Christmas Day!   It exists all year round...! 


I really want you to experience SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium at least once.  It's pretty♪

Great Lakes Crossing Outlets has over 25 stores and restaurants that welcome you genially.

And it recalls childlike innocence.                        
Love and happiness,  Rose

April 28, 2019

a cozy stay-in date during day time

I was trying to find him, but he tapped me on my shoulder when I was looking at another direction. Collie is good at finding me. From Detroit Airport, we directly drove to his place. We just bought some food at Kroger he often goes to. Both were tired from work. "We can sleep in tomorrow!"


Saturday (late^^) morning...⭐︎ Some coffees and marshmallows from Japan, and protein bars and cookies I found at Kroger! Happy❤︎ I am eating each one a little at a time with coffee♪ 


This is a big hit!!! I liked it and brought 2 packs for myself later to bring back to Japan. Do you know Effie's corncakes!? Since sugar is moderated, you can eat it like a cracker topped with food you like, also, it is delicious as it is! 


Flowers Collie prepared for me. It is cute as ever. Sweet of you, Collie...❤︎❤︎


I asked him to take a selfie of us, - Rose holding those flowers + Collie -, and today, I'm thinking about sending the photos to him. How he will react, I wonder? 


We bought chicken and some vegetables yesterday at Kroger. I added all kind of vegetables into soup at home. I wanted to cook white cream soup on this visit.  All right, Collie liked it! (^o^)/


The grass is covered slightly with snow... Though it is cold, it is not very cold for Michigan winter. 

Relaxing afternoon on Saturday.  It was just 4 months ago. 


April 27, 2019

Leaving Tokyo to Michigan at the end of the year 2018

It must have been a bad timing... Collie was not in a good condition. Rather worse, in a bad mood. "But I will put back in a good mood until you come.", he said in the mail.


(- -)


There was a big chance to visit Michigan during New Year's holiday because I could be away from work for 10 days. I suddenly book a flight to Michigan. It was almost impulsive.

I know he is busy. New Year's holiday is not long in U.S.A. I planed to study at the dining table of his house while he was out at work. Still, I can see him when he is at home.


I stopped by WELCOME CAFE at COREDO Nihonbashi after work. I wanted to eat a strawberry sponge cake with rich fresh cream as a Christmas cake for myself.

Non-fluffy dough I love and it shows the cake is honest home-made. Lightly sweetened whipped cream is deliciously smooth on the cake.


I had a good time with my brother and his girlfriend at the Italian restaurant on Christmas Eve.

Quiet time at the cafe alone on Christmas Day is not bad. It's unusual for me to order tea. ww (That is because I enjoyed wine the day before.)

A cake of WELCOME CAFE is gentle to the body. It wonderfully went with Earl Gray tea.


As my father, who used to work at IHI talked about V2500 engines passionately before my flight, I took a picture of the inflight magazine.

On December 28th, I was in the Delta airplane going to Detroit. I can fly immediately once I put my mind to it.

I won't bother his time. So I didn't make any plans nor asked him to drive me to anywhere. I will just spend time at his house.

Because of my sudden trip, he had to cancel and reschedule his detailed examination at the hospital. I have a license, but I rarely drive. I am useless... (- -。

I am sorry.  I just wanted to see him.  If there was Collie, it was all right.


April 20, 2019

Wishing you a happy Easter 2019

In Japan, tomorrow is Easter 2019. There has been Lent for 40 days before Easter.

What could I accomplish during Lent? I am working until late almost every day and it's mandatory to give me a rest so that I can continue to live healthy as much as I can.

In our fast-paced world, time may be the form of alms that is hardest to give. I can say I did my best for my company since I worked cooperatively. Everyday is a challenge. I offered my time for Japanese Industry.

Did you know?  You can eat DOUGHNUT of DOUGHNUT PLANT at Dean & Deluca.

A glass of wine is my comfort after a long day. It gives me a relaxing time. Even if it's already 10 o'clock in the afternoon, it is necessary to zone out by myself. At the cafe, or at my apartment.

I know, it might be a bit strange to order wine with a donut!

When I almost gave up, "Everyone has been blessed by God with talents." encouraged me.

Lent is a time to inventory the talents we have and make use of them.

Believe that BAKERY DOUGHNUT of DOUGHNUT PLANT is very tasty!

Let's consider how God may be inviting us to stretch ourselves to live out the season more fully.

I know what is important for my life, who is precious in my life. And God knows.

Please have a blessed Easter...  Let's make a fresh start!

I will see you next week.  Rose


+  +  + additionally wrote on April 21, 2019

Winter is past,  the night is gone!  Alleluia!
Franciscan Chapel Center in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad, for this is the day that the Lord has made.  Alleluia, alleluia! 


April 13, 2019

various colored cherry blossoms in a single tree

Hello people in the world!

Today, I will show you another kind of cherry blossoms I adore.


I walked along a river towards a pastry shop in my neighborhood. My father wanted to eat a cake because he missed it on his birthday. 


Feeling comfortably warm in the spring sun, I could see such brilliant cherry blossoms thanks to him!
In this season, you can see cherry blossoms here and there in Japan. 


White, pale pink, and deep pink... How fantastically they are blooming together! How it happens, I wonder. By grafting buds from other trees, or its' pollen was naturally moved to a different pistil by birds or the wind?


Look at these pretty blossoms! Usually, the image of cherry blossoms is beautiful, but fleeting. However, these cherry blossoms are showing different charm, which is, how about...joy, hope, and brightness?


A shopping district in my town. It is in Tokyo, but a little away from the center of Tokyo. 

These are common cherry blossoms. See? This is a tunnel of cherry trees♪ 


And cherry trees in my elementary school. I've posted an illuminated night one on my blog recently.


I always think it is interesting that blossoms are blooming directly from a trunk of a tree.


Life force.  An amazing ability to survive in the old tree.  I am touched by the sight. 

How do you feel about it?


⭐︎ ⭐︎ ⭐︎


I arrived at my parents' place. (They live within only 10 minutes' walk from my apartment.)  


Thank you for waiting. These are traditional strawberry sponge cakes in Japan


I hope you enjoy my cherry blossoms in full bloom and likewise cake. It was soft and very good.  :)


April 6, 2019

Charming cityscape and FRANZE & EVANS in Omotesando, Tokyo.

Season in which cherry blossoms are in full bloom...

Today, could you share my strolling around town?


Hi. I am Rose living in Tokyo, Japan. My dream has been living in Michigan for more than 12 years, but it wasn't realized. I thought about changing my blog title these days. 

After all, I cannot be bothered! I keep going with Loving Michigan! (--) Who cares!?


I told my friend, these cafe houses were like downtown in Michigan. Two-storied buildings and rare vivid color for Japan are just ones I saw in Michigan. 

I was just impressed. I haven't walked this street before.

  

Exquisite!

Delicate cherry blossoms against the background of the - this is also - brilliant brick red...!


Oh, I love walking in the back street district!  I can find these buildings I don't see usually. 

I think about my life. 

Can I attract a man who, though he isn't perfect, will be right for me? Someone who loves the real me, also, someone with whom I am also impressed. 

Imperfect man who is perfect for me? Yes...because I'm not perfect, neither.


SWEETS PAVLOVA❤︎   I came to Franze & Evans again. It got my favorite cafe recently.

Pavlova is a meringue-based cake named after the Russian Ballerina Anna Pavlova. Wow!
Crisp crust and soft whipped cream topped with a plenty of strawberries. Very popular in London. 


Lady F.  We talk about work, love, and things that happened in our lives. 

There are tables inside of the cafe. However, we enjoy our food and wine on the terrace since it's so crowded on weekend. It is wonderful to see passers-by while sitting between people in the cafe and the road in the city. 

You must love FRANZE & EVANS.     HP→www.franzeevans.com     Locations→⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎


FRANZE & EVANS is an Italian elegance imagined and realized by Londoners who live in the present age. 

Imagine...   Realize...

In my case, accepting all of his qualities, and trying to improve myself is the first step. 

Love and happiness to all,
Rose