Merry Christmas to everyone with Christmassy photos from Rose life!

I found it's Christmas. I haven't got a feeling of Christmas this year. I've been working hard, and like, it became Christmas before I knew it.

Yesterday, I knew  － 

Christmas Day is not a day Christ was born, but a day we celebrate the birth of Christ.

"Christ"  "Mas" (Mass)

Christmas Eve is not 12/24, but 12/25 night.

"Christmas"  "Eve" (Evening)

This is the picture Collie sent to me in November. You who live in Michigan recognize where it is?

I talked with Collie using Google Meet. Later, he sent me several screenshots like these. Oooh, I'm laughing too much...(@@)  I didn't know about it.

Every year from November 1st, a Christmas tree is put up at the entrance of the building where my company is in. I didn't see many Christmas decorations in town this year, but this tree was a comfort when I came to work once a week these days.

I enjoyed a Christmassy cake at home❤︎  (raspberry cheesecake with pistachio cream on top)

May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer.

I couldn't post a blog very much lately, but I really appreciate your visiting my blog. This year 2021 was a great change for me because I purchased a condo in a big city. Though I miss my previous apartment where I lived for a long time, I am very thankful that I could timely have an opportunity to move in the room which interior design is my favorite. 

Looking back, how did this year go for you?  

May the gift of love and happiness be yours this season. 

Merry Christmas!  Rose

winter cherry blossoms by chance in my town

Wanted to take my mind off my work, I took a sudden day off and enjoyed a walk around my town. 

Pale pink...  It can't be!  Cherry blossoms!

I happened to see winter cherry blossoms.  Those blossoms were small, faint, and fleeting.

2021.12.03. a vigil in Oxford for the community

They closed downtown Oxford for 2 hours.

Many people attend.  Speeches, prayers, candles...  

I can see people's prayers though photos sent from Collie. 

I pray for Oxford in Michigan, and all people there.  Rose   

Gigantic! I've finally got my dreaming Blueberry Muffins & Banana Nuts Muffins of Costco♪

Though I am not a member of Costco, I found a way to purchase those lovely big muffins through "Rakuten", which costs triple, but it doesn't matter. I waited patiently until a box arrived my home. 

As members of Costco know, 2 packs are 1 set when you buy those muffins. What I heard about the size is right. It is gigantic and heavy. So...let's open!!!

Blueberry Muffins　Gigantic....(@@)

Banana Nuts Muffins　　Heavy....(@@)

I cut a Blueberry Muffin in half.  It's like a face...💕

I cut a Banana Muffin, too.  Wow, how powerful they are!  Both are lovely😍

To show you how big it is, I put mandarins aside...also, my everyday favorite mug. 

Massive... I was blown away by the size. There are abundant walnuts on top of a big Banana Muffin. 

These Costco muffins are not that sweet and it's really good❤︎  I cut each one in half and am keeping it in the freezer.

Since Blueberry Muffins & Banana Muffins were delivered to my house, I've been eating them little by little. One of the pleasure of life is eating delicious food. I am enjoying my coffee time at home. 

Thanksgiving is a great time to count our blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone!     Rose  

Classy display of apples & 2021 Starbucks Christmas Blend

There are a lot of pictures I'd love to write about, yes, I do like blogging! If it is possible, I want to write every day. But I'm swamped with work on weekdays and my eyes get tired from using the computer continuously. I should rest my weary eyes after the long day. We need to take a digital break.

Today is Sunday. I chose some from my recent photos.

Wandering around the streets, I came across a classy display of apples. How charmingly they placed apples on display! The shop seems to be a florist. Going for a stroll to explore my surroundings, I enjoy looking at the architectures on the side streets as well as the main ones.

     ☆

Christmas Blend is already in season at STARBUCKS.

I had a Starbucks employee grind 100g of coffee beans for home use. I purchased CHRISTMAS BLEND ESPRESSO ROAST. To my delight, she gave me CHRISTMAS BLEND DARK ROAST as a sample. I'm glad about it!

CHRISTMAS BLEND ESPRESSO ROAST

Bold & Decadent

featuring sun-dried Ethiopia

CHRISTMAS BLEND DARK ROAST 

Spicy & Refined

featuring rare aged Sumatra

I'm not sure about "Bold & Decadent", however, it must be saying about Indulgence, I think.

Regarding 2021 CHRISTMAS BLEND of STARBUCKS, I like DARK ROAST better than ESPRESSO ROAST. CHRISTMAS BLEND DARK ROAST is elegantly aromatic, and CHRISTMAS BLEND ESPRESSO ROAST is a little flat for me.

Let's enjoy this festive season❤︎  Rose

Soothing coffee break outside BIO c' BON, the organic supermarket from Paris.

A little bit long walk from my place to Nakameguro.  Let me talk about my new habit this time.

Going for a walk in the city is good for your health, and it would be even more fun with a break in such a comfortable place.  It's my favorite thing to do!

BIO c' BON is an organic supermarket from Paris. When I come here, I often (always??) buy oat milk.

Terrace seats are only a few, so I was lucky to have got it to enjoy a fresh coffee I made at the self-service coffee area in BIO c' BON♪

The foaming black coffee was a great taste. How nice you can take away a cup of fine organic coffee only at 150yen(without tax)!  I tried a vegan oatmeal cookie, too. It was also good.

I visited BIO c' BON again on another day. It was a Sunday morning. Next to coffee machines, you can freely add soy milk to coffee. There is agave syrup too if you like. I enjoy black coffee itself first for a while, and then, return into the shop to add soy milk to coffee. (I am enjoying my coffee to the fullest...) A different kind of oatmeal cookie spiced with, like cinnamon and cardamon was tasty, too. I can go back home walking alongside Meguro River, or through the residential district as I please, whichever!

Brisk morning here might become a part of my daily routine...sometimes during the weekend.

 

Please have a lovely weekend, Rose

Collie & Rose's white moon in the morning from each living place

Unusually for me, I woke up early last weekend. I looked out of the window, 

and saw a white moon in the gentle morning glow.

I sent this photo to Collie, and on the same day at night Japan time,

 I received a following photo from him. 

"White moon in early morning fog.", Collie wrote in his email. It was morning Michigan time.

I thought it's a breathtaking pale pink moment with a white moon in the morning!

The moon was almost full. The white moon he saw in Michigan is the same even if he is far away from Japan.

He went to sleep seeing my white moon picture in Tokyo, and when woke up on the next morning, he took his white moon in Michigan. I felt his own natural kindness from it.

It was the way he showed his love.