Leaving Michigan & Lovely Rose Cake

It's the morning I leave Michigan for Tokyo.  The two of us went out of the house for a while.

We saw a rose bush Collie was growing. He was growing roses while we couldn't meet for years. It was a type of rose with few petals. What is the rose called? The delicate petals look like a lady's skirt.

I'm all set for leaving Michigan for flying back to Tokyo. This is the room I use when I stay at his house. I look at it for the last time, saying thank you in my heart.

Then he drove me to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. We skipped breakfast at home to get there earlier. I didn't really think about it when I booked the airline ticket of Delta Air Lines, but later I realized the ticket didn't allow me to reserve a return-trip seat to Tokyo in advance. My ticket was "Basic" Economy and was Delta's most reasonable fare class that came with more restrictions from Economy. I'll have to line up to get my seat at the boarding gate on the day.

We usually spend time together at the airport as long as possible before I go through the security check. But this time, he hurried so that I could get a better seat. "If you are going to feel cramped between big Americans, I'd better endure the shorter time we can be together at the airport!"

He carries my ponderous suitcase easily. （❤︎ ❤︎）

He walks on so fast carrying my heavy suitcase.（❤︎ ❤︎）（❤︎ ❤︎）（❤︎ ❤︎） Wow! He is super cool. 

Thanks for helping me out.  Collie, you're the best!!!

He helped me to check in, too. Then we sat and began to eat sandwiches Collie made quickly at his house in the morning. In the sandwich, there was lettuce that he washed for dinner last night and kept some for our quick sandwiches at the airport. He also prepared nuts etc.

Facing the security check, we eat breakfast. We don't have time to chill somewhere more relaxing because of my Basic Economy ticket. ( ;  ; )  While I was eating, he took a selfie of us. There were a few tears in my eyes. I am happy with him... I have to go soon.... I was smiling but my heart was crying. 

Before long, the time came. I began standing in line for the security check and he saw me off as I proceeded. I turned around and looked at him, again and again. And finally, I waved at him and disappeared from his sight.

This travelogue was written about what happened in June 2023 in Michigan. When Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted in the United States, I flied to Michigan for the first time in 5 years to see Collie. After the sparkling stay, I returned to Tokyo and resumed my work at an advertising agency.

In July 2023.  I received a picture expressing birthday wishes from Collie. 

Birthday cake with rose shaped cream on top!  And roses arranged in a small vase must be the ones he grew! Rose cake and real roses for Rose. What a lovely presentation🌹  Thanks a million, Collie!!

A video was sent on Google besides a picture.

Near the whole cake, there is a pair of chopsticks I gave him as a present.  Collie is playful. （^ ^。

I've been counting on him every birthday since I met him. He is my everything and birthday wishes from him are special. Thank you Collie, from the bottom of my heart...

If I'm given another chance to fly to Michigan, I will treat myself with Premium Select. It is Delta's premium economy seat class and more comfortable than Economy. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  I will look forward to that time.

Best of luck and thank you for everything, Rose

Quick & relaxing dinner at home on the last day in Michigan

We came back from CANTERBURY VILLAGE in Lake Orion. It was a TACO Festival. Though we didn't eat any Mexican food there as we were not so hungry, it was a very fruitful day for me to have experienced where the locals like to hang out on their day off. 

My dinner on the last day in Michigan was at Collie's home. It has a chill vibe so I can relax. I wish I could stay longer, but I am counted as one of the transient population in Michigan and have to go back to Tokyo tomorrow. Hectic work in a bustling city is waiting. 

I rustled up burrito-like food with gluten-free tortillas, served with sauteed broccoli with garlic. I was able to use in time the tortillas I chose at Kroger! My own style Mexican food😓  I wonder if he used the rest of the tortillas later... 

He said he didn't want my broccoli, but I gave him some😆  He found it's palatable after the first bite. He has a mysterious beef sandwich that he bought extra the other day, trying to make it healthier by adding some lettuce.

 。◇゜。◇゜。◇゜dessert ◇ time   。◇゜。◇゜。◇゜

KEY LIME CHEESECAKE from ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP

Collie finally eats his cheesecake tonight!  I also took out my cake: the rest of red velvet cake and carrot cake which became much smaller... I've been enjoying my cake over a couple of days😄

It's lovely to spend our evening by taking it easy at home. Just being together, I feel comfortable. I feel safe just being with him. I spent the last day of my stay in Michigan, relaxing like that.

How we spent CANTERBURY TACO FEST 2023 in Lake Orion, Michigan☆

CANTERBURY VILLAGE in Lake Orion, Michigan marked its 30th anniversary in 2023. Congratulations!  Collie & Rose visited CANTERBURY TACO FEST on June 25th, 2023.  I will show you how we spent it with photos.

Canterbury Castle   2325 Joslyn Rd, Lake Orion, Michigan 48360, United States

Collie took me to CANTERBURY VILLAGE, saying, "You must like the TACO FEST!"   I was not sure why he thought so, but let's play it by ear and see where our day takes us.

For me, CANTERBURY VILLAGE has a Christmas or winter season image. I used to see Christmas ornaments and do shopping here. This is probably the first time I've been here in early summer. 

Walk around and look at the stalls and other things...

DONUT SUNDAE??  I haven't seen this before, but that makes sense. A donut nestled next to vanilla ice cream is drizzled with caramel sauce and whipped cream. It's a signature treat of YATES. Yum...

TACO EATING CONTEST at TULIP STAGE

I am sending a cheer unconsciously with a lot of spectators. Collie might have thought I liked TACO FEST because of this event...😅

The winner was a woman on the left. The way a guy looks at her while eating is humorous. Good job, everyone!

Collie is trying to buy something. :3  It was a chocolate chip cookie. I found he sometimes buying a cookie in this trip of mine. We took a seat and had a rest while chatting. I took a bite of the cookie. I thought the one he bought at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in Royal Oak was hands down the best.

BALLET FORKLORICO DE DETROIT at CHAPEL STAGE

It's a community-based dance company dedicated to preserving rich Mexican culture with dance and music. The dance expresses life and spirit of Mexican people through its movement and tune. 

ALL-STAR WRESTLING at YATES STAGE

I was privileged to take a picture with Great Tiger & Great Akuma. They were both very welcoming! What gentle eyes Great Tiger has! I was moved. When I said "I'm from Tokyo." to Great Akuma, he responded by saying "Hajimemashite", which meant 'Nice to meet you'. It was a wonderful experience. I am grateful to Collie for suggesting my standing in line with the audience for a picture with Great Tiger & Great Akuma.   ＊Akuma means Devil.

Throughout the festival, we tried to search numerous food trucks for the best TACO, but we missed eating it. The main reason is we weren't so hungry in spite that we liked Mexican food. We didn't eat traditional Mexican dish TACO, however, we really had a good time at CANTERBURY TACO FEST 2023 in Lake Orion, Michigan. It was held in 2024, too. You can read more details about the festival on this site. → https://www.canterburyvillage.com/event/canterbury-taco-fest/　Have a nice day!

Singing with love & a wonderful gift at St.Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion, Michigan.

I like attending Mass at St.Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion, Michigan. I come here every time I stay in Michigan. I like to sing hymns, say a prayer aloud with participants, and listen to the priest's preach trying to understand English as much as possible as I am Japanese. I especially like singing.

" To sing is to pray twice. "     － St.Augustine

Singing adds to our praise and worship of God.

We praise God with all our heart and voice. Singing helps us to communicate with invisible being. 

How great it would be if I could come here with Collie every week. But I'm grateful that I could come here again. I cherish this valuable moment. 

Then after Mass, I have something to look forward to.

Collie: "I can't believe you eat a donut!"     Rose: "Why not (●- -●).."

When you come out of the chapel, there is a room opposite where coffee & sweets are prepared. Donuts were being served today. Can you resist getting a donut??? And look at this fresh coffee!

Collie didn't take a donut. I know I've already eaten a cheesecake, carrot cake, and a red velvet cake, however, I'll have to go back to Japan soon and today is the only opportunity to be able to enjoy coffee & a donut at St.Joseph!

It's still vivid that a little girl smiled at me shyly, gently when she handed out a donut to me. It was so cute and made me happy. The time with palatable coffee & a donut was a wonderful gift for me.

St.Joseph Catholic Church

715 N Lapeer Rd, Lake Orion, Michigan 48362, United States 

The power of sacred music increases the honor given to God by the Church in union with Christ, its Head.

I think going to church together with a beloved one is the best date. It's also a wonderful gift.  Now I pray.   May the power of God be with you on your journey and protect you always...

 

Our post-dinner sweets are cakes from ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP.

We deliberately had a small dinner, for there were enchanting deserts waiting for us after dinner.

A box containing cakes carefully taken home from ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in Royal Oak

I'll open it gently...

Great, I'm relieved. 😂   I was careful not to tip the cake in the car.

They are beautifully wrapped in paper.  A treat in the front ↑ is KEY LIME CHEESECAKE for Collie💚

CARROT  CAKE

spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting

RED VELVET CAKE

chocolate cake with butter cream frosting

Red Velvet cake has a magical charm.  Let me have a bite?

This is what it looks like on the inside.

I am happy to have tasted my dream cakes. I didn't eat them all. I'll save the rest for tomorrow. However, Collie didn't eat his Key Lime Cheesecake at all this night. It's probably he ate large sized ice cream during the day. So his cake is supposed to appear in a perfect condition again.

I can enjoy these cakes in Michigan for just a little while longer. Every moment was precious.  Rose

a ballon above Kroger & a mystery beef sandwich of Collie

Did some shopping at Collie's familiar Kroger in the evening.

When we came out of the store after shopping －

We saw a balloon just above the structure！

What a flamboyant balloon! It was a stunning image. Then we got in the car and left for his house. 

I shot Downtown Oxford from inside the car as much as I could.   A quaint atmosphere as ever...

Actually, there was another place where he stopped to buy something he could go for.   It was meat.

A beef sandwich hit the spot! When he is craving for beef, getting this beef sandwich is quick and easy. Gentle Collie gave me half of it...😂

Other than that, Salads from Olive Garden, and lemon flavored beer Collie had in his fridge. A glass of beer would enrich the table♫♬  And that unexpected beer was pretty tasty.

Not to miss the opportunity to use feta cheese I chose at Kroger, I added it to the salads. I don't have enough time to cook for a short visit in Michigan. However, meals like this are also fun and good♪

I don't remember which shop Collie bought the beef sandwich...😅　Does anyone have a guess? 

Sweet & relaxing time at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in Metro Detroit

Regarding my trip to Michigan for the first time in five years, ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP was a must to revisit! Three cakes I'd definitely love to eat had always been in my mind while I was waiting in Japan for travel restrictions to be lifted.

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP started its history in 1971 from the Greektown District of downtown Detroit, which was my first visit. Since then, I'd also visited Royal Oak shop several times, and this time, I came to Royal Oak shop again.

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP   320 S Main St. ROYAL OAK

The three cakes of my dearest wish is...

Carrot cake！

Cheesecake！

Red Velvet Cake！

And the following Milk Chocolate Cookie was a new surprise. Collie bought it quickly so he could eat it while walking and I had a bite of it. It was so good! 😍 

Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies

We took a quick look at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP, and stepped out for a stroll in downtown Royal Oak. We will come back to this shop again to get my dream cakes later. 

A music festival was being held in a certain area. We attended a little but that music turned out not to be Collie's thing, nor to be Rose's thing. It was a scorching hot day. So we cut short walking around the city. 

We are heading to ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP.

We decided to eat something at the store besides taking away some other cakes with us after that. Let's take a break in a cool place♪

Collie's choice is mint chocolate chip ice cream☺ 

Rose's choice is cheesecake☺

Collie ordered large sized ice cream for himself and like "I can't eat it all.", but ate it all. :3  

I ordered plain cheesecake because I wanted the simple taste of cheesecake itself. This is my first cheesecake of ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP in a while. I'm happy❤︎

I have a penchant for cheesecake♡   It's not great in terms of health, but it tastes amazing！

We savored the relaxing atmosphere of the cafe sitting by the window and looking out at the street.

Savoring a treat inside the store with specialty gourmet coffee roasted just for their customers...✨ Coffee was great too and it went well with my cheesecake. I enjoyed the time to my heart's content. Collie is like, he's craving for meat after taking a lot of sugar. ww　But I'm sure he also enjoyed the sweet & relaxing time at ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP like me.

We brought home a box containing three pieces of cakes. I will let you know which cakes we bought. 

ASTORIA PASTRY SHOP is receiving many awards over the years and the high standard confections are preeminent in Detroit metropolitan area. I highly recommend you to go to this charming shop in Greektown or Royal Oak. You'd surely meet your favorite there.