After a ridiculously long time we have a winner!

When I posted the giftaway May 9th I made a typo and meant to write May 17th instead of June 17th as the closing date...and I felt that I should stick with what was in black and white so after this ridiculously long time we have a winner.

These are the goodies...

Entries...hand printed...Ultra Low Tech 

Recycled Tiffany's Blue Bag from last purchase

(sterling bangle)

I love the packaging...and the presentation...

The newest bangle is on the top!

The one below is an older Tiffany, the rest are vintage.

Drumroll please...

Congratulations!

Please email me with your mailing address and I'll pop this in the mail pronto.

bungalowhostess@gmail.com

I am a Grammy!

I am a Grammy!

Isla Ellen arrived yesterday morning and she is lovely.

I am so proud of my Lovely DIL and son, they are wonderful.

I am in a state of BLISS...

Look at the lovely roses that my BFF sent...

must run, have lots to do...

definitely on the agenda...shopping for Isla.

Smiling broadly from here.

Sunny daze...

The sun is out and the weather is warm...
there is a small breeze and the birds are singing.

 I had a lazy start...

I enjoyed a leisurely coffee and read the local paper.

I did some deadheading and weeding.

Mr. HB and I went for a walk.

We took the overland route to the market.

Our rooftop is not visible here

this is our neighbourhood

Looking east

Looking west

Looking south

A glimpse of my mothers' condo is at the top right

Red poppies

Large crepe like petals and when open reveal a lush bounty within...

Reminds me of a sea anenome...

My garden is a combination of native and non indiginous plantings.

I have successfully cultivated some parts 

and other areas have a different agenda!

I learned early to pick my battles...

I cannot tame every inch, I have a limited amount of energy...

and besides there's always a good book beckoning...

I often wonder what the settlers saw when they first landed..

a dense forest of trees, 

rocky outcropings, 

hills and beaches...

it must have been magical.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you do.

Eileen Fisher and I are friends again...

As luck would have it I have a date with Eileen.

SHE's baaaccck!

Oh I love shopping my closet...

it's a new season.

When I change around my clothing for a new season it's like meeting old friends again.

Some are old friends and some are forgotten ones.

A co-worker mentioned about boosting the metabolism by 30%

 with the simple addition of freshly cut lemons to the water that we drink.

I was skeptical...

it might be the walking

 or the hydration

 not too sure which. 

Things are starting to shift a bit below the belt.

I am happy to be donning my black Eileen's again.

Here they are at their coming out party...

Josef Seibel shoes, Banana Republic linen tank and T combo, 

Debbie Kay neck art, and Eileen Fisher pants.

Kicking it up a notch...

Vintage eel skin clutch, sequined flats, THX gauzy animal print top, beads and starring Eileen Fisher.

I could swap out the THX and add this sequined Tee,

vintage Sherman rhinestone pin.

Fashion comes and goes...style is forever.

Why is it that

Flowers never go out of fashion?

Climbing Royal Sunset Rose

a classic,

in a thrifted glass tile block.

Bungalow foccacia Bread...it's easy peasy.

I thought that I would share my easy peasy foccacia bread recipe as it goes with so many meals.
I often make a large colourful vegetarian salad and serve it on the side when I have a friend over for lunch.
I love it with homemade soups as it is simple and is great to dip when no one is watching!
It is stellar with a tomato based sauce and pasta...and sooo good with steamed clams in wine.

It's a Bungalow Basic.

Bungalow Foccacia
Pour in a large bowl 1 1/3 c. warm water stir in 1 tbsp. sugar sprinkle 1 tbsp. quick acting yeast on top and let sit for 10 minutes.
Add 3c. unbleached flour, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and 1 tsp. salt...mix with lightly oiled hands and knead on floured countertop until smooth and flour is blended. Shape into a ball.
Oil same bowl, put dough in and cover with tea towel for at least and hour in a warm location free from drafts.
Lightly oil a cookie sheet...spread dough out so it just about fills the sheet.
Rest 20 minutes.
Poke your finger and make depressions into dough every inch or so. Brush with 2 tbsp. olive oil,  garnish with fresh rosemary, and 1 tsp. Fleur de Sel salt.

Bake at 425 degrees for 13 minutes.
Let cool on sheet before serving.

I made a cauliflower soup from the French Market Cookbook and paired it with this bread delivered to the parents-in-waiting.

What would you pair this bread with?