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.

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? 

our quick and fun brunch at home

We got back all the way from Northern Michigan last night, so got up late this morning. Thank you for driving, Collie. You must be very tired from having driven for a long time. Let's have a relaxing morning with easy brunch.

Collie whipped up scrambled eggs for us😃

I add a biscuit that I brought home from CITY PARK GRILL in Petoskey.

Kroger Fresh Cut Cantaloupe/Pineapple.  Polish paper napkins are casually cute🌼

I'll put butter(with olive oil and sea salt) on my biscuit♪

Collie eats his scrambled eggs with two slices of toast.👨

On this trip, the soy milk I found at Kroger was a great discovery. I poured soy milk into a mug and enjoyed tea with milk.  Making something simple and taking it easy...  I found happiness here, too.

Night meal to the point taken out from Tropical Smoothie Cafe

We came back to Collie's house after a long drive. It was getting late at night, so we ordered our food to go at Tropical Smoothie Cafe and had it at home. This time, it was got near where he lives. I'm thankful, it is a popular chain that can be found all over the place in U.S.A.

I chose green smoothies this time. "ISLAND GREEN" is made from spinach, kale, mango, pineapple & banana. Very big as usual, and heavenly delicious again! 

"MAPLE-KISSED SWEET POTATOES" are gentle taste. Regarding sandwiches, they were avocado & cheese toasted ones, but I much preferred WRAPS to SANDWICHES on the menu.

If Tropical Smoothie Cafe were in Japan, I would probably go there often. It's not perfectly healthy since raw cane sugar is added into the smoothies. Still, I love WRAPS and SMOOTHIES. They are healthy and tempting for me. Delicious food always makes me happy if that makes sense. ☺

 

Happy tasting☆Mackinaw Trail Winery in Mackinaw Crossings Mall, Michigan

We have still time before leaving Mackinaw City. Lastly, we enjoyed going around the stores in Mackinaw Crossings Mall, and went in the shop of Mackinaw Trail Winery.

Mackinaw Trail Winery is family-owned and operated since 2004. In Michigan, there seems to be 4 tasting rooms. How nice we can see award-winning wines as one of the tasting rooms is in Downtown Mackinaw City!

It was a pleasant surprise that a visiter can choose and taste one wine for free! I chose fruity white wine from the wine list. Look at this amount in the wine glass! You can enjoy so much even though it's a tasting! The white wine is Gruner Veltliner, which strain sounds first for me. It's delicious! 

I sit on a chair at Collie's request😄

The staff at Mackinaw City Crossings Tasting Room is very friendly and amazingly welcoming. Unfortunately I didn't buy a bottle of wine because I didn't want my suitcase to get too heavy. I have to go back to Japan soon. 

Mackinaw Crossings is a Victorian inspired shopping center which has something for everyone. 

If you have a chance to visit Mackinaw City, Michigan, please take a stroll to feel the vibe of Mackinaw Crossings Mall and meet your favorite shop, restaurant or entertainment. Good day!

I'm glad I didn't have to waste food!

I've kept my leftover salad in the refrigerator of our hotel. If I don't use it for breakfast this morning, I will lose the opportunity to eat!  Maybe we can eat at the open seat of DIXIE SALOON?  Let's try it!

The remains of my Chiken Salad in a to-go box. I took it to the hotel from DIXIE SALOON last night. Coffee is from the hotel lobby this morning, and round ones are...what I baked yesterday morning😆

Collie bought his sandwich at the shop I suggested. I had the place in mind from having taken a stroll by myself at Downtown Mackinaw City last evening. 

Over there, you can see a ferry which goes to Mackinac Island and St.Ignace. It's a pleasant morning. After finished having each breakfast, we cleaned the table. 

The food of DIXIE SALOON was only Chicken Salad I ordered last night, but nothing was said from the staff relating our use of their outdoor table. I feel relieved. I am glad I didn't have to waste food. 

Thanks a million for a good opportunity to enjoy our breakfast in such a comfortable vibe...🙏  Rose

Breakfast at AmericInn By Wyndham Petoskey & cute round waffles

Still early and Collie is sleeping. I felt like drinking coffee first thing in the morning, so I came to the breakfast room at AmericInn By Wyndham Petoskey. We will have breakfast together later, but I can taste coffee before it while he is sleeping. I'll let him have a rest. He must be tired. 

However....

Once I looked around all the food available on the shelf, I couldn't help taking those buffet style food... I ended up taking not just coffee but also a lot of food😅

I like spending time at a cafe in a relaxed way, so I can enjoy another cup of coffee leisurely when Collie has a breakfast after he is ready. The problem is, how I should tell him that I've shrewdly started whole breakfast...?

Free buffet style breakfast at AmericInn Petoskey♪

I saw other guests having round waffles they baked on the spot. Cute...😍  The small round shaped waffles caught my eye. But I'd been intrigued by a muffin and taking waffles too sounds greedy.

Ah, that's it! A Splendid idea occurred to me. Collie must bake waffles for himself. I can take a picture of his waffles😀

Surprisingly, Collie turned up soon. He wasn't surprised that I was already eating breakfast alone. I may have, I may have not, explained to him I thought maybe I'd eat some while I waited for him😓

He first took a patty, scrambled eggs, gravy sauce, and a biscuit....next went to the waffle maker. Yes! I'm excited! 

He returned to our table with his freshly baked waffles. 😳  But they were not the ones I wanted. Those were waffles with different shapes...😧  Oh, I see, there are two waffle makers to make separate waffle shapes💧

So... I went to another waffle maker to bake waffles for myself.

My cute small round waffles❤︎❤︎❤︎

I am satisfied with my cute ones😋

By the way, Collie's waffles are these. He knows nothing about my attempt. I took a snapshot while he was eating his waffles. 

I am pretty stuffed. I wrapped my cute waffles with paper napkins so I can enjoy them later. ^^

Sometimes, I tend to act strange when I am enamored with cute food. I'm grateful to him for being generous to a fool like me.

Pan-toasted chicken & cheese sandwich *Rose Style*

Collie used to make ham & cheese sandwich for himself. Since I warned him that processed meat contains enormous additives that cause cancer, he got to buy slices of chicken breast (or turkey) instead of ham.

I like sandwich made with sliced bread, namely square sandwich bread. Also, I prefer my bread toasted. 

My recent favorite is Dave's Killer Bread😀 It's non GMO and organic! Thin-sliced breads among their products are just for me.

I made my breakfast sandwich with thin-sliced brown bread at Collie's house. It's 'Rose style' to add plenty of vegetables in sandwich. This is pan-toasted chicken & cheese sandwich with extra cabbage. The main ingredient looks like cabbage, though...

Collie didn't want cabbage in sandwich like this😅 So he makes chicken & cheese sandwich as usual. It's OK to cook in a different way, but I want him to have enough vegetables for his health!!!

We are going to leave his house for North Michigan today as he could take days off from his work. Stay tuned dear long time readers, familiar places such as Petoskey, Mackinaw City will appear♪

Charming snack foods I chose at Kroger

This is Kroger Collie often goes to. It has appeared over and over again on this blog.

Kroger is an American retail company throughout the United states. 

A roof shape like this is common among Kroger supermarkets. Isn't it cute? I like this☺

In 1883, a single grocery store was opened in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio by the investment, Barney Kroger's life savings. Kroger Corporate Headquarters is still in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I learned that Kroger has become the largest supermarket chain in the United states. Wow! Kroger got bigger than Walmart or Costco!? I didn't know. Congratulations!

These are snack foods I chose at Kroger. I will take them to Japan. 

Uh✋ peaches are from meijer, yesterday.  I just took a picture of them with Kroger foods for fan😄

Private Selection Slow Roasted Pecans with Sea Salt is a must buy whenever I come to Michigan❤︎ 

It is soooo delicious❤︎

This time's lucky find was Milk Chocolate Pecans❤︎ 

Crunchy pecans and caramel covered in milk chocolate is heavenly❤︎

What is your favorite snack food of the supermarket in your town?  Rose 

Let's enjoy Papa Joe's Gourmet Foods on the balcony！

Getting back to Royal Park Hotel Rochester, we, rather I..😁 with alacrity, willingly, put and prepared foods & drinks from Papa Joe's Rochester on the table. 

The balcony in the twilight is very pleasant. 

As for salads, Collie's is the simple one in the back, and Rose's is the one that contains various ingredients in the front. A chicken cutlet is for Collie, and chicken salad wraps are for Rose. 

Collie drinks lovely pink one, and I drink BUD LIGHT!

It's still dimly light even before 8 p.m.

This is the third day of my stay at the hotel. Collie joined in from the evening of the second day. I think it was a wonderful way to spend our time together for the last night here.

From the balcony, we saw fire like a campfire on the ground. we stepped out of the hotel after the sun went down completely. It was also nice to hang around on the premises at the last night.    

To be continued...

Mesmerizing Cake Products at Papa Joe's Rochester, Michigan

Probably any Michigander knows this gourmet supermarket. We found Papa Joe's in Rochester! And it was the first time even for him to check out the Rochester one. Papa Joe's Rochester is one of the flagship, full-service locations. Coming inside, I was directly drawn to the patisserie section! Not sure where Collie was in the supermarket while I was engrossed in cakes...😅

I was mesmerized by the abundance of Cake Products at Papa Joe's❤

FREEDOM SCONES. Such a dignified name! The scones are straight from the kitchen of their executive pastry chefs. Papa Joe's - the art of fine food.👏

❤❤❤ RED VELVET CAKE ❤❤❤

STRAWBERRY HEAVEN BUNDT CAKE

CINNAMON WALNUT COFFEE CAKE

RASPBERRY CREAM CAKE and more

Bagels, too♪  This is VERY BERRY BAGEL😊

Cakes with fresh cream are dreamy...💕

CHERRY CREAM CAKE.  Dynamic cuties😘

At the deli section, we bought salads & cooked meat for our dinner. We decided having Papa Joe's Foods at the balcony of Royal Park Hotel this evening. Don't miss the next episode! 

👉 a fun video of those Cake Products

I hope you enjoyed the photos & videos of Cake Products from Papa Joe's in Rochester. I didn't buy them this time, but it's a secret dream to have the RED VELVET CAKE down the road.

Happy Easter to you, Rose