Playful Pepper in Michigan【photographed by Collie】

Hi❤︎  Saturday morning here in Japan. Today, I show you a unique dog that Collie's mother has.

The sofa cover's come off on the carpet.  Oh, he did it!

Look at this arch look on his face.  He is full of fun! 

Pepper is a really playful dog being loved by everyone.

Sunny day for February in Tokyo. I think about Michigan, and will start my day peacefully.

Bye for now... Rose

I can't reach my hotel in Helsinki. I got lost in Finland!

From Helsingin Rautatieasema (Helsinki Central Station), I was walking to my hotel optimistically.

It is going to be fine, Rose.  I'm already close to my hotel♪

But it occurs when I lost my concentration... I got lost!!! I should have kept my focus up to the end.

Even while I'm lost, how charming and quaint the streetscape in Helsinki is!

It might be my hotel!  I approached...and found out it's not.

In Helsinki, every building looks like a castle and it's hard to know where I am until I get familiar with the area.

Eventually, I got back to the place around Rautatientori (Station Square).
Looking closely at my map again, I orient myself in the city of Helsinki.

All right. Getting lost is also a good experience on a journey.

Let's start all over again!

Gum Ball Pink Designer Hypericum Berries

Isn't it soooo cute!?  It is not a flower, but a berry.  This tree in berries is called hypericum.

Since this plant is known for its healing properties, these lovely berries can be symbols of cheer and inspiration to someone in your life.

The flower language of hypericum berries is Protection, Clarity, and Good Health...

When I just passed by the flower shop along the street, I couldn't help buying those unique flowers, actually, berries. 

There seems to be red, green, yellow, peach, orange etc. besides pink according to the literature. 

This plant is resistant to cold and hot weather, I see, which symbolizes its flower language.  

Would you like to find your color of hypericum berries for yourself, or for someone special?

I finally got over my cold over 2 weeks, and Michigan is...

Hello, I couldn't update my blog this weekend... How are you everyone in this cold season?

Though I had been working at the office on weekdays, last weekend and this weekend, I was down with a cold. I did really need to rest. Today, I'm getting well.

At this time of the year in Michigan －

St.Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion, Michigan

It got already customary. A picture again photographed by Collie to let me (us) know how Michigan is now...

It must be very cold, but somehow I always feel warmness from snowy Michigan scene. 

Quiet...  It's like I am in another world.  In movies... or picture books...

OK, I've got to go now. I'll talk to you later again. Peace... Rose

Winter Renaissance Center and plum market news from a lady in Detroit

Dear Lady in Detroit,

I really appreciate that you sent me such a beautiful picture of Renaissance Center, and season's greetings. Happy New Year to you, too!  My first week of the year was so hectic...
Now, looking at this picture, I am immersed in memories.



The snowflake motif is really stunning!

Across the Detroit river, I can see Windsor as if I were standing there and looking down the view in the twilight. It resonates with me.

And thank you for letting me know about plum market new in Detroit. I haven't been any of it in Michigan. Super! Yes, there is 'happy hour' as you say.

MOET&CHANDON vending machine!  Awesome💖

I found a wine bar of plum market on the net. It looks so fun💕 Have you experienced it already!?
It is in Ann Arbor, West Blooming field, and in Chicago, too. :o

Thank you so very much for keeping me posted.

Wishing you a happy and magical New Year! I hope it brings you lots of joy and happiness.

All the best, Rose

a station plaza and a city street in Helsinki, Finland

Got out of Ring Rail Line.
Looking back, people were walking to Helsingin rautatieasema (Helsinki Central Station).

The building over there must be the Helsinki station building. However, I didn't recognized it then. I don't know why, but I went out of the platform directly to the city road instead of walking into the station. It was a surprise, we don't need to go through the station to go out to the city.

Later, it became a reason I missed R-kioski where I can buy my day ticket (IC card for the transportation in Helsinki). In the station, truly there are shops to the point for travelers like me.

I had a map, but I was not sure and I relied on my hunch as to which direction I should go first to reach my hotel.

It looks like a station plaza.

It started to sprinkle a little bit... Unfortunate, when I'm with my suitcase... But it didn't get harder.

I sat at the bench in the park, and looked around to try to orient myself in the city, comparing each building with the map page of my guide book.

Suomen Kansallisteatteri - National theater

I can't believe it, I am really in Finland, the first Scandinavia for me. Oh I really came!

Then, I managed to walk towards Stockmann (department store) somehow with a map by my side.

It was a gorgeous street! And brilliant fruits caught my eyes. I bought various fruits in one plastic case. Sweet! I can eat fresh fruits at the hotel🎶

Woah!  That's wild! 

I'm in Northern Europe.  What kind of experience is waiting for me?  I am so thrilled.

Peace..【Photo by Collie】

Much peace, love and joy to you all in 2020.

                              

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1st, 2020