Double cherry blossoms in Gotanda 2024

One week or so after single cherry blossoms have finished blooming, double cherry blossoms start to bloom. Compared to single cherry blossoms that fall right away, double cherry blossoms keep on blooming for about 3 weeks. If single cherry blossoms were fleeing and beautiful, double cherry blossoms would be...

Cute, sweet, lovely! I am enamored with them this year too. Let me post various kinds of double cherry blossoms adjacent to where I live. 

How did you like it? These were all photographed along Meguro River. 

I really like double cherry blossoms. I feel joy when I see them. Those pretty ones give me hope, and keep me going forward. 

Joy, Peace, Happiness and Love, Rose

Single cherry blossoms in Gotanda 2024

Hi there. Though I'm still in the middle of writing about my stay in Michigan, let me upload this year's cherry blossoms in my town.

The cherry trees all over Japan burst into boom. We got lucky with great weather to admire them in full bloom on the weekend. I'm walking towards Osaki area from Gotanda area.

Those pale pink blossoms bloom all at once and fall all at once quickly, which is making them even more aesthetically impressive in our heart. Delicate...fleeting... The beauty is transient.  

Rows of cherry trees as if covering Meguro River. Cherry trees are luxuriously alongside Meguro River that runs through a number of wards. Pale petals are scattering in the wind, on the river... They create a dreamy scene.

Osaki is a primarily commercial district in the northern part of Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It has already completed several urban renewal projects.

Then, let me show you a road along the river. It is one side of the road between Osaki and Gotanda.

Petals in elegant subtle shades of pink are beautiful both in the way of blooming, and in the way of fluttering in the air to the ground. I think cherry blossoms are hearts of Japanese people.

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The following pictures are taken another day.

This spot of Meguro River is between Gotanda and Nakameguro. Skyscraper condominiums in the middle over there are in Osaki. The massive building on the left side is HOTEL GAJOEN TOKYO.

Every year, the weather tends to be unfortunate during cherry blossom season. It rains hard, or a strong wind blows while it's gonna bloom soon and until cherry petals start dropping almost as soon as they've opened. 

When I thought "I wish I could share this best time to look at cherry blossoms in my town with Collie." while walking, a Border Collie turned up. He's quite handsome. |o| 

Cherry blossoms are regarded as an iconic flower of Japan. I hope you enjoyed my post!

May cherry blossom petals fall gently on you...  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

A tiny little bird in Rochester Municipal Park in Michigan

Then, we came to Rochester Municipal Park for a walk and chillout. We didn't walk very far. After walking for a while, we turned back and rested on a bench in the shade of the tree.

The Municipal Park is literally a place of play for Rochester residents, over a mile of paved walkway with winding creek, pond as well as courts for tennis and volleyball. About 88 years ago, Rochester residents dedicated a new recreation spot on Paint Creek. Built on the site of a bankrupt dairy farm and a long-abandoned millrace, Avon Park －now called Rochester Municipal Park－ quickly became a favorite place for local residents to play, relax, and picnic etc.

Before finding a bench we sat, I saw a little something that moved small on the ground under the tree. It was a baby bird! It must have been fallen from the nest... I was so worried, but I knew I shouldn't move the little one.

Collie says, if we are nearby, parents birds cannot come to feed the baby bird. So we moved from the place. We sat on the bench, feeling the beauty of the green and gentle warm air in June.

It was not long before we noticed boys started a ball game around the place where a baby bird was on the ground. "I will tell them." Collie stood up and walked to the boys to tell them that there was a baby bird that fell out of the nest near the place they were playing. The boys honestly understood. They moved away from their playground immediately and resumed their play. 

I wondered, how many people in the world can act like him for a tiny little bird? I live far away in Japan. We have been in a long distance relationship for a very long time. However, his act like this is probably the reason why I continue to be attracted by him.

Rochester Municipal Park

400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307, United States

Rochester Municipal Park is a place I want to visit every time I come to Downtown Rochester. There is a lot of charming cafes and restaurants in the downtown, and this park is also in my heart not only when I am in Michigan, but also when I live in Japan. 

I wish you all a wonderful week, Rose

 

The perfect brunch experience at Rochester Brunch House*

Sunny Sunday afternoon, we came to Rochester Brunch House in downtown Rochester, Michigan♩

Rochester Brunch House  301 Walnut Blvd. Rochester, MI 48307

Mon - Sun 8am to 3pm  Walk-Ins Only to best serve customers

It is a hip cafe located in the heart of downtown Rochester. Since I found this fashionable cafe online searching for nice places I should visit, it's been my plan to put a practice into with Collie. It was very popular as I expected when we visited (besides, it's Sunday noon!), so we needed to wait until we were called. 

I like it when Callie waits together without no irritation when I want to experience some crowded places (that seem almost food...😓) in Michigan. Walked around, we sat and chatted in the vicinity of Rochester Brunch House to kill time. It was also fun.

Fruit Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast with a choice of Blueberry

Mine is Blueberry French Toast from 'Sweet Breakfast' section of the menu. I'd already decided what to order in Japan! You can order at any time during opening hours even if it is written 'Breakfast'.

Collie offered to take a photo from where he were sitting. The perfect shot❤︎

It became a lovely memento at Rochester Brunch House with my boyfriend. 

California Omelet (ham, bacon, tomatoes, onions, avocado, Swiss cheese)

with a choice of Potatoes & Toast

There are some kinds of omelets in 'Stuffed Omelets' section of the menu. I think Collie's one was it. By the way, he didn't know this place, so it was a first visit for him, too.  Tempting potatoes... :3

One more shot by Collie😎

Pink salt bottle on the left (from his side) made a good impression on me.  "Our food is fresh and organic."  That's what it said on the website. Not only fresh, but also organic? How impressive!!!

Please see Charming Rochester Part Ⅱ about my having taken a look at this spot in advance.

I'm having a taste of Collie's (as usual).  I am happy〜〜♬  It is a routine action...😅

I was able to go to a place I had always wanted to visit. Though we had a terrace seat this time, I think it would be nice to eat indoors as well. 

How about a perfect breakfast/brunch/lunch experience at Rochester Brunch House, downtown Rochester, Michigan sometime?

Wishing you a wonderful week, Rose

Sunday Mass at St.Irenaeus Catholic Church in Rochester Hills

Every time I visit Michigan, Collie decides which church to go to depending on where we are at that time. I really appreciate it, and it's nice that we can go to any churches we wish for. This time, Collie suggested our attending Mass at St.Irenaeus Catholic Church in Rochester Hills.

St.Irenaeus Catholic Church  

771 Old Perch Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48309

It was a sunny good day. After joining the Mass together with residents who may live near Rochester Hills, we came out.  Later, I found this picture was taken at 12:00:00pm on the dot!!!!!

Sunday is a special day of rest and reflection as we prepare for the coming week. Praying together is an ideal way to start a new week.  Lord, I want to express my gratitude for the gift that I could come to Michigan again after 5 years. You have been and will be my guidance in making decisions. You are my strength to face any challenges that may come my way. 

A Prayer for Our Sunday:

Father God, 

Thank You for this Sunday. Lord, we come before you first and foremost with hearts of gratitude. You have seen us through another week, and we stand at the threshold of a fresh week, full of new beginnings. Lord, help us start this bright embarking with You. Stir in us a deep desire to come into further relationship with You. Remind us that it is not solely by going to Sunday service that we worship and come before You; rather, it is through the daily communion with You through relationship and prayer.

+ Mass online of St.Irenaeus is here, every Sunday at 9:45am +

My new journey in Michigan has just begun!

Love of God, Rose