We are still awake when 2024 makes its entrance, somewhat to our own surprise. If there are any fireworks we didn’t spot them, though the neighbour across the road had twinkling lights in what we’ve always taken to be a garden shed or animal shelter. Firecrackers have been sounding on and off all evening leading up to uneven volleys as the New Year begins, at which point the neighbourhood dogs add enthusiastic voices to the general din.
Our last two slices of bread become toast this morning. So incentive to try out the oven which, unlike the burners, is electric not gas so should be pretty familiar territory. And it is. The whole wheat flour, though, is noticeably finer than what we usually get at home. Although we did once buy a 10 kilo bag of flour from India because it was the only available whole wheat flour in bags that big at Superstore and it too was almost powder fine. (Yes, Canada imports wheat from US, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, India and France. Who knew?) So we have the first loaf of Irish soda bread of the winter and of the new year.