【Michigan Travel Journal Extra Edition】Ninja! Potato Dance and more...*

Collie is a quiet and trustworthy guy, but occasionally does ridiculous things.

When I was in the living room of his house, he showed up so suddenly, saying...

Ｎｉｎｊａ！！！

Rose:（＾＾）. . .    He is funny.

And then, he took our selfie delightedly.  I love it.


Besides that one, I showed up with my coat, wearing a bathing suit directly underneath. And I took it off so suddenly when he was curiously looking at me, wondering why I was wearing my coat in the warm room.  Collie: "Ahhhhh~~~!!!!!☆💓△"  It was a huge success!


Another version is;

Collie came to the dining room while I was cooking.

apple dance ^^ ♪♪♪

Later, he said when he passes through a potato section at the supermarket, he always remembers me, my dance.

Collie "You are a great dancer."

I was not sure what he was talking about. A potato was being replaced by an apple in my memory. I realized it was actually a "potato dance"!!!  I was holding a potato, not an apple in my hand!

Hmmm...Collie remembers me when he sees potatoes.... (- -)..

Then, he added that he rather remembers me when he see roses.

It is so sweet of him❤︎  He sent me a picture of roses he took at his mother's place.


A further silly thing of mine;

Rose hiding in a blanket 

I didn't know he was taking a shot of it. (^^)

Collie and Rose are silly.  We do some ridiculous things.

A potato section reminds him of my "potato dance".  However,

I'm hoping he always remembers me when he sees those pretty roses.

Love and happiness to all,  Rose

Pepper & Collie

Autumn is the season Collie likes best. He loves how leaves change colors in this season.

I wonder what he is doing now. Are the leaves starting to change colors in Michigan already?

And Pepper?     He is a dog. Collie has a unique dog at his mother's home.

Collie is walking Pepper in October Michigan

I thought I knew the pureness of your heart, but I truly realized the beauty ever since I left Michigan.

As Pepper has complete trust in you, I learned how generous and kindhearted you are. I am sorry...

I was immature. I've said several things which hurt you. Every time you generously forgave me.

I wish your happiness from my heart.    I am struggling. I am still learning.    But please know....

In any day and age, I was just honestly loving you.       I miss you guys, Pepper & Collie.  Rose

I show you my economy class dinner & breakfast of Delta Airlines from Detroit to Tokyo

It is as the above title says. I use Delta Airlines when I fly to Detroit.

I love it when they begin to serve drinks & snacks after takeoff for a destination. This is the moment I really feel my vacation has started! A glass of sparking wine, or white wine is a toast for me to start a trip, free from the pressure of daily work.

This time, I'll show you my meals of economy class from Detroit to Tokyo.  Firstly, dinner!

I am satisfied with a lasagna-like hot dish. A shrimp cocktail, adding another delight of taste to the whole meal. A simple salad gets flavorful with dressing...

Layered pasta is rich in fillings. I ordered white wine from free drinks. I'm enjoying plenty wine in a plastic cup♡

It is a waste to eat before you get on an airplane. You should be hungry to enjoy these food supplied by Delta Airlines!

Once you paste butter-flavored margarine (trans fat 0) on a round pretzel, it will be a dessert which also goes with wine♪

When we got close to Tokyo, breakfast was served.

Eggs, potatoes, and a sausage are an energetic start of the day. Fresh fruits are making a morning even fresh. I already miss the United States...

Isn't it great to start a day with a smooth sparkling wine if it's once in a while!?  Sparkling wine is free, too😍  There is a chocolate after a meal♪

So... I am totally happy with Delta meals.

I'd love to have a chance to relax there again..... or flying in business class by some possibility!?

Sushi Rolls come to my mind when I hear my mother's cooking. What about yours?

When you hear "your mother's cooking", what does come to your mind?

As for me, it is sushi rolls. My mother is very good at making sushi rolls and she makes it quickly. Sliced and arranged sushi rolls are beautiful on the big plate. Moreover, it is delicious!

It is rolled food made by wrapping rice and fillings with dried seaweed by hand, using makisu (a bamboo mat).

What's good about hand-made sushi is that ingredients are somewhat arranged. Compared to buying in stores, sushi rice is seasoned lightly with less vinegar, sugar and salt. It is healthy, and I do like this mild taste.

I brought pork cutlets, chicken cutlets and croquettes etc. I bought them at the long-established local store on the way to my parents' home.

A lot of foods on the table. The event was held to eat hand-made sushi rolls, and pork cutlets popular among locals. My mother's sushi rolls are popular among my family, also guests who visit their place.

Today, I introduced food on the table at a small home party in Japan, to you.

What is the favorite dish made by your mother?  :)

How about long-selling milk soap as a gift from Japan?

Japanese men and women of all ages know Cow Soap, that is also familiar to me. In spite that it's of good quality, a cake of soap is only less than $1! It is not all natural, however, I suppose being 100% natural is not always necessary.

It contains milk powder. Cow Beaty Soap is suitable for washing your face as well as your body.

 

■Red one provides gently moist finish of washing with excellent creamy lather and rose scent.
■Blue one provides fresh feeling finish of washing with excellent soft lather and jasmine scent.

Everlasting gentleness is something never changes.  ■ is from 1928〜, and ■ is 1942〜

I use blue one regularly♪ Jasmine scent is really refreshing when it lathers well...

How about Japanese milk soap as the gift from Japan?
Red & Blue box won the GOOD DESIGN LONG LIFE DESIGN AWARD 2016!

the very first snow flowers of the year ＊with lylics＊

Ah... Snow Flowers...!

I found a snow flowers on the car window. Though I had seen snow during my stay in Michigan, it was the first I saw the shape of flowers made of snow this year.

The time is approaching when we must leave for Detroit International Airport.

I saw the very first snow flowers of the year when I left Michigan in the morning. It was January 5th, 2019.

The coffee shop is quietly standing on the corner in an airport lounge. It looks solitary, but has a point since it seems to provide every kind of drink & light meal which satisfy our need. 

I appreciated that there was still a Christmas tree. 

Mixed feelings of calmness while spending time with Collie and loneliness for leaving Michigan soon.

The time has come, and I realize I can't touch you anymore. My gentle Collie... As your figure is getting dim, I always feel my soul is breaking.    Nevertheless －

Say...departure is a new start.

Wherever I am, my heart is there for you....in Michigan, for me, which is pure like a fresh snow.           

Love always, Rose

Ｓｎｏｗ  Ｆｌｏｗｅｒｓ  Mika Nakashima   〜Hayley sings a Japanese song〜

Together hand in hand we walked through evening gloom  

Long shadows on the pavement, cast from the sunset sky  

If only this would last until the end of time

And if this is forever I swear that I could cry

The northern wind starts to blow
And the smell of winter's in the air
As we take each step upon the ground
The season of love grows near

❄️ We could share the very first snow flowers of the year

in your arms where I belong

Watch as the city turns from grey to white
The day turns into night
Love that floats like wayward clouds, that's not what we're about

Sure and strong is my love for you
❄︎ And it comes from the bottom of my heart

With you by my side, to catch me when I fall

I can cast my fears aside; feel twice as tall

If only this would last, this smile upon my face 

And if this is forever, you're my saving grace

The nights were so cold without you
And the days were always short on light
Now a fire's warming me through
And suddenly this upturned world is feeling right
Repeat ❄️

If there comes a time when you have lost your way

I'll turn myself into a star to guide you through
If ever you find tears upon your face
I will be there, always be there for you

Repeat ❄️　   Except ❄︎

The city turns from grey to white
The day turns into night

We could share the very first snow flowers of the year
in your arms where I belong
Cold winds from the North blow
The sky casts its last glow
But you and I are standing strong

Detroit night view & warm dinner at home

Detroit River in the twilight...☆

We left Detroit for home. I wish I could be here just a few more moments to admire the wonderful view, but we should get going since I will have to get back to Japan tomorrow.

What I wanted to eat for the last dinner was, not at the restaurant which has a good reputation, but at Collie's home.

Sigh... A woman who says "Really~!? Can you take me to that gorgeous restaurant?  I'm so excited! Thank you!!!" － must be a good example to be chased after and admired by a man. I am the opposite.

I wanted to taste this delicious rich cheese that increases its deep taste day by day, with a homemade style baguette toasted crisply on the top side.

We sautéed frozen meal...😅  We shared Japanese beer which I brought from Japan💞

Ooh!!! I almost forgot taking Chicken Caesar salad out of a fridge! I made it at the last minute👌

I really don't like wasting food.  I am just who I am.


😸Collie was curious to know what's in the box given by a lady in Detroit....  So I opened it.

Wow🎵  It is a chocolate💕

Some filling of the chocolate is pistachio cream, you know, that yellowish green one. Collie took a bite and looked inside..

Collie "ＷＡ！ｓａｂｉ～～～"   ^^♪


（・・）


Rose "N-no no, it is pistachio, not wasabi."                 Note: wasabi = Japanese horseradish


Collie "Ｗａ！！ｓａｂｉ～～～"   ^^♪♪


（－－）. . . . .


So... a gift to me from a lady in Detroit became our dessert.

Of course Collie knows wasabi is different from pistachio. He is just being playful.

I enjoy going to a fancy restaurant, but also love this kind of meal at home.  I just hope I can still be attractive for a man. Can I...? 💧