Book Bouquets

I spent the afternoon with my sister and she taught me how to make book bouquets. All I need now is a glue gun and some plastic flowers. Heaven knows I have plenty of books! 

Think Fast!!!

Every once in a while, the Internet forgets to work. And suddenly, life becomes so much more… exciting. Yeah. Exciting. That’s the word.

Where’s my sarcasm font when I need it?

So there I am, teaching technology, 25 middle school students teetering on the edge of good behavior, when the Internet dies. Suddenly. Without warning.

Think fast!

I whipped up a spur-of-the-moment assignment, passed out paper and pencils, and declared: “Today, we’re going Old School.”

I'm definitely going to keep this one in my toolbox. 

'Painting' by number

I recently discovered an app called Happy Color. Yes, it’s a total time-waster, but when I need a mental break, it’s pure gold. And yellow. And orange. You get the picture. You just tap a number in the palette, then tap the matching numbers in the picture, and voilà. It magically “colors” itself in.

I don’t even need to see the colors; I just follow the numbers and watch the picture come to life. Mindless? Absolutely. But since it involves technology, I like to think of it as practicing my tech skills.

Digital Creativity: How Today’s Students Are Building Tomorrow’s Innovations

We’ve talked a lot about how technology is shaping education—AI in the classroom, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations. But this month, I’d like to shift the focus from what technology does to students to what students can do with technology.

Digital creativity is booming among today’s middle schoolers. Whether it’s designing a 3D model in Tinkercad, programming a video game in Scratch, or using Canva to produce a class newsletter, students aren’t just consuming technology—they’re creating with it. Tools that were once locked behind professional paywalls or steep learning curves are now browser-based, free (or nearly so), and designed with young learners in mind.

This creative shift is more than a novelty—it’s a powerful educational opportunity. When students code an animation, build a simple app, or design a virtual world in CoSpaces, they’re not just playing around; they’re engaging in problem-solving, systems thinking, storytelling, and collaboration. They’re building digital literacy, resilience, and confidence in their own ideas.

As educators, we can nurture this trend by making space for creativity in our curriculum—not just in tech classes, but across disciplines. A history teacher might let students create an animated reenactment of a historical event. An English teacher might encourage digital storybooks or AI-generated dialogue experiments. The key is to provide flexible tools and encourage exploration, not just correctness.

Of course, balance is important. Not every moment needs a screen. But when used thoughtfully, creative technology gives students something even more valuable than answers: a chance to imagine, design, and build their own. In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, these early acts of digital creation are more than fun—they’re foundational.

 

Buffalo Wine Festival

Today was a busy day—but it ended deliciously.

The fun started bright and early at 8 a.m. with a car inspection. Nothing like coffee and emissions testing to kick off your Saturday. Shoutout to Mavis Discount Tires on Delaware Avenue—they got me in right away and had me out in 45 minutes, no fuss, no pressure, no “your air filter is a biohazard” pitch. I swear by them. Honest, fast, and they’ve never tried to sell me a cabin air filter for $79.99.

While I waited, I took a short stroll over to Bruegger’s Bagels for breakfast. Ham, egg, and cheese on a sesame bagel. No notes. Absolute perfection.

Next stop: Valvoline for an oil change and some long overdue windshield wipers. My car is five years old. The original wipers were still hanging on for dear life, and visibility during a drizzle had become more of a suggestion than a guarantee.

I made a quick pit stop at home, got started assembling the May Mensana (aka brain fuel for the people), then met up with Hope and Trisha for the main event: The Buffalo Wine Festival.

Let me just say—this place was massive. Over 50 wineries, breweries, and vendors. At the door, they handed us a wine glass, a tote bag, and a booklet... like we were about to embark on a sacred pilgrimage. And in a way—we were.

We started on the first floor. Next year, we’re heading straight to the second. Gotta outmaneuver the crowd. Strategy, people.

Highlights from the Sip Safari:

• Vieni Estates (Canadian Wine Ambassador): Their dry Pinot Grigio (6.4 g/L) was smooth, crisp, and practically begged to be paired with the tilapia currently living in my freezer.

• Skinny Wick Candle Co.: I picked up a “Summer Woods” candle that smells like a walk through a pine forest in late July. They also do wedding favors. Local, hand-poured, and delightful—support your small businesses!

• Nectar of the Vine: Warm sangria tasting? Yes please. They sell pouches of mix that can become a wine slushie or a crockpot cocktail. I grabbed one to pair with the Merlot in my kitchen. Winter's not over yet.

• Lakeland Winery: Peach Raspberry Sangria. Sweet but refreshing. The kind of drink you pour into a cold glass when the sun finally remembers Buffalo exists.

• Three Brothers Wineries: Their “Zero Degree of Riesling” had just 0.9 g/L of sugar. Easily the driest, smoothest Riesling I’ve ever had. Like, this-is-my-personality-now good.

• Nothing Bundt Cakes: Let’s talk dessert. Their White Chocolate Raspberry bundt cake is what the angels serve at brunch. I also grabbed snickerdoodle and carrot—tiny, single-serving sizes, which technically makes it portion control.

• 

• Thousand Island Wineries: Their St. Lawrence Red, a semi-dry delight, came home with me. I’m saving it for a steak night.

• Pellicano Vineyard: They had a range of sweet wines, but their Chianti Riserva—a bold, dry red—won me over. Spaghetti and meatballs, you’ve met your match.

• L&J Creations: I caved and bought a hand-painted butterfly stemless wine glass. Did I need it? No. Did it spark joy? Absolutely.

• 

• Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery: Picked up some Adirondack maple syrup. Pancakes next weekend just got a promotion.

• Bee Spit Meadery: I’ve never liked mead—until today. Their “Drunken Barrel” mead is made with root beer (yes, really), and it’s dangerously smooth. Also, very high alcohol content. This is a "sip and stay put" beverage.

• Jill’s Gourmet Dips: They sell mix packets—you add your creamy base of choice. Their Buffalo Blue had just the right kick. 10/10 snack.

Despite the snacks throughout the day, by 3:30 I was hungry-hungry. So we wrapped it up with a trip to Amherst Buffet Chinese Restaurant. I definitely ate more than I should have, but hey—festival calories don’t count.

We finished the day at Jo-Ann Fabrics, which is sadly going out of business. I stocked up on yarn (25% off!) and jewelry fixings (40% off!). They’re restocking daily, and yes, I’m already planning my return.

All in all, a 10/10 Saturday. Good friends, great wine, surprising mead, and an alarming amount of bundt cake. What more could a gal ask for?

Hope and I - I'm actually taller than she is now!

Trisha and I 

She's bending her knees so her head doesn't cover the sign, and I'm standing on my 

toes to try to look taller. We have a lot of laughs!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Spoiler Alert! If you haven't read the book yet, don't read this post.  :)

Lucy Foley is back with another atmospheric mystery, and The Midnight Feast delivers on all the eerie, twisting suspense she’s known for. Set in a secluded Manor on the edge of a dark forest, the novel unfolds through multiple perspectives—Francesca, Owen, Bella, and Eddie—each bringing their own secrets and baggage to the table. The story jumps between 2009 and the present, slowly unraveling the tangled web of betrayal, guilt, and long-buried truths.

Foley’s decision to switch between perspectives worked really well here. Each character had a distinct enough voice that I never struggled to keep track—except when bouncing between the different time periods. I had to pause now and then to orient myself, but overall, the structure kept the suspense tight. And the Manor itself? A perfect backdrop. Its separation from the town made it feel elite and untouchable, but with the forest looming nearby, there was always a sense that something dark was waiting just beyond the trees.

If there’s one thing The Midnight Feast nails, it’s its characters being utterly haunted by their pasts—some literally, some figuratively, and some in ways they never even saw coming. Bella desperately needed closure so she could face her daughter without shame. Eddie carried the weight of his brother’s mistakes. And then there’s Francesca… absolutely unhinged from start to finish. Her past was soaked in blood, and her present wasn’t much better. The fact that she set fire to the Manor herself? Chilling. As for Owen, the poor guy married the woman who murdered his mother. Therapy. Lots of therapy.

The twists in this book were genuinely jaw-dropping. Jake showing up as a police officer? Did not see that coming. And the Night Birds? At first, I thought they were just some local legend. Finding out they were real—and that Eddie’s mother was one of them?  Wow. That was a wild turn. Foley did an excellent job of laying the groundwork without making the reveals too obvious. I never saw the twists coming, but looking back, they made complete sense.

As for the ending, I thought it wrapped up nicely. I shed no tears over Francesca and the twins dying in the fire. If these characters were real, I’d hope Owen finds peace, Eddie lets go of his guilt, and Bella and Jake get a shot at happiness.

Overall, The Midnight Feast was a gripping, eerie read with some truly shocking moments. Foley knows how to build tension, and this book delivers in spades. If you’re in the mood for a dark, twisted mystery, this one’s worth picking up.

Ms. Tabor's Famous Brownies

I don’t know why the kids rave about my brownies. They come from a box. I mean, who has time to make brownies from scratch? I’m a teacher!

So, I made the brownies for my friends Sue and Dave. They really liked them too. Which means there must be something I do that others don’t. That got me thinking—what exactly do I do differently from what’s on the box?

Each little thing isn’t a big deal on its own, but together, they must make a difference.

First: Pan Preparation

I only use an 8x8 glass pan, and I never spray or grease/flour it. Instead, I line it with non-stick foil. That way, the edges don’t get overly crisp from grease.

Second: Oven Temp & Baking Time

I always bump up the oven temperature by 5 degrees. If the box says 350°F, I set it to 355°F. And I always take the brownies out at the minimum baking time. If the box says 34 to 38 minutes, they come out at 34 minutes. I don’t care what they look like or if a toothpick comes out clean—minimum time, and they’re out.

Then, I set the pan on top of the stove, which is still warm from the oven, and leave them there until they’re completely cooled. The residual heat from the stove and glass pan keeps baking them just enough to be done, but not overdone.

Third: The Mix

I add ½ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry mix and whisk it in before adding the wet ingredients. Then, after mixing in the wet ingredients, I stir exactly 50 times with a metal spoon. Yes, I count—50 strokes, no more. Overmixing makes brownies dry and tough.

Finally: Cutting Them Up

Before I carefully cut them into 16 pieces, I trim about ¼ inch off the edges to remove the dried-out part that touched the foil. (Some people like that part, but I’m not a fan.) I use a chef’s knife for clean, even cuts.

And that’s it!

 

Benchmarks

Proctoring has to be the most boring, teeth-numbing duty teachers have. To keep myself from completely going to sleep, this year I colored. I only use the colored pencils that have the names of the colors on them, and I only use the color names that make sense to me. I hope they turned out okay. I had fun doing it...I haven't colored in years! 

Peace...

 

Playing with ideas for graphics for the Mensana...