Killing some time at Somerset Collection

Collie will take the afternoon off so he can pick me up at one of the entrances of that large shopping mall. Somerset Collection is an opulent shopping mall located in Troy, Michigan with more than 180 specialty stores. 

Not sure how many times I came here, but it is a good place to spend some time while he is working. In the beginning when I started to visit Michigan, I was engrossed in several shops and bought some clothes. Those purchases uplifted me. Also, I enjoyed just walking around checking out all the stores. Now that I have enough dresses and blouses etc., I should pull off any outfits I purchased. So...I just started wandering around the mall without any plan or specific purpose. 

An upscale atrium in Somerset Collection

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ax9rIRLFT/ 

In hindsight, each one was a fortunate purchase. I found it at the right time when I really wanted it. I still treasure all of them. I'm thankful that I got to have the opportunity of meeting my type of fashion here in the past. 

★macy*s   floor 2 

My favorite type of clothes is on the second floor of ★macy*s at Somerset Collection. Elegant, but not overly flamboyant. Macy*s is one of the popular American department stores. 

☆ 　☆　 ☆

Then, I met Collie inside of the entrance. I was 1-2 minute late. ^^; (Which is unusual for me!) 

I always think it's great that - 

Collie is invariably punctual.

We are going to the restaurant for lunch. I'm excited, I can be there for the first time after 5 years! 

I've not been so interested in shopping lately. So...appetite rather than material desire.  :3　Rose

Rose & Collie's serene morning at the balcony of Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

It's the morning we check out of the hotel. I woke up early to enjoy the last view from the open balcony I liked very much. With a cup of fresh coffee, of course!

The coffee provided at Royal Park Hotel is really delicious. 

I took the elevator to the first floor. It has an imposing ambience as you can see. Every morning, I went to the library room where coffee & other drinks were being prepared. I brought back my coffee to our room on this day, too.

I secretly shot a video on the balcony before Collie woke up. Would you check it out? ＾＾

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6TRBTpxTpP/

It seems that I am laying back after the successful shooting... I was not aware that Collie took my photo from behind. He seems to have taken it secretly before he got ready to come out. Green is vivid on this photo. Lush foliage is the sign of early summer. 

After a short while, Collie turned up on the balcony out of the room. I'd already brought a cup of lemon water for him when I went down for my coffee because he doesn't drink coffee. It was a serene morning. The weekend is over and he'll go to work from now. 

Much later in Japan... When I opened my Google Photos recently, I found Google featuring this photo at the top of the site as ”Memories together”. That was our selfie. 

It was taken for us to commemorate the wonderful time here. 

Royal Park Hotel is located in hip and historical Downtown Rochester, Michigan. We are grateful for your hospitality. Also, I'm grateful to Collie, who booked this luxury place so I could spend time comfortably while I explored Rochester, one of my favorite cities in Michigan.

Outdoor Fire Pit in the dark of night at Royal Park Hotel, Rochester, Michigan.

We stepped out of the room to check out a bonfire we saw from our balcony. After the relaxing fun dinner, that was an event for us to conclude the night at Royal Park Hotel. It was approaching 10pm. 

Look! There is a blaze over there. It's still on fire on the side of the building facing Rochester River Walk in the dark of night.

An earlier visitor told us that it's until 11pm and we need to put the fire out when we leave. Collie and I sat around the bonfire, watching the fire blazing up. I think we were there for about 30 minutes?

Outdoor Fire Pit

Evenings are for relaxation and winding down. Our outdoor fire pit is complimentary to hotel guests until 11pm each evening May - September.

excerpted from Royal Park Hotel Insider Recommendations Guide

I found it later. How nice, some ideas just like above are listed for those who'd rather put their feet up, relax, and enjoy the hotel as well as best things to do at Downtown Rochester!

You can watch a video clip to feel the vibes☺  

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6GSlHkxrty/

It was the perfect wind-down time with Outdoor Fire Pit. We had a really good time. Thank you...*

 

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.

+ + +

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