Antoinette's Sweets

Last night, I indulged in a sweet tradition with fellow Mensans at Antoinette's Sweets, a beloved institution since 1915. Our welcome spring ice cream social was the perfect excuse to savor one of their legendary sundaes.

I opted for the Nutty Butterscotch sundae—vanilla ice cream drenched in hot butterscotch sauce, topped with real whipped cream, and finished with a generous sprinkle of chopped nuts. It was pure decadence, the kind of dessert that goes straight to your hips (and is absolutely worth it!).

The evening was made even better by the company. Host Joe, along with Fred, Bill, and Lynne, made for a lively gathering. Joe and Lynne, always armed with quick wit and sharp humor, had me laughing throughout the night. It was also great catching up with Fred and Bill and enjoying the nostalgic charm of Antoinette’s.

Between the laughter, good friends, and amazing ice cream, it was the perfect way to welcome spring.

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!

 

Professional Development

Today we had to complete mandatory training for New York State regarding our duties as mandated reporters. On days like these, our school principal brings out the wheel of prizes for the staff, with prizes ranging from "go outside and pick up three pieces of garbage" to "win a gift box". In the four years I have worked there, I've never won anything. Today I won a gift box. I feel so appreciated!

The box says, "Sometimes you forget that you're awesome so this is your reminder." It contained a recycle bag, a pen that says, "You're awesome!", a travel mug, and a bottle of semi-dry red wine. Life is good! 

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! 

I worry about the future.

One of my students came up to me with a nosebleed, but he was laughing, and something just seemed ... off ... about the situation. I had to ask. I just had to ask. 

Umm... why is your nosebleed funny? 

<giggling uncontrollably> I let [another student] stick a pencil up my nose. 

Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen

There are few things better than a great meal shared with great company, and my recent dinner with fellow Mensans at Charlie the Butcher’s Kitchen was exactly that.

First, let’s talk about the food—because wow. The beef on weck was absolutely amazing. The beef was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning. The kimmelweck roll was fresh, soft, and topped with the perfect amount of caraway seeds and salt. And then there were the onion rings—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and fried to golden perfection. Every bite was pure bliss.

Of course, a meal is only as good as the company you share it with, and this group did not disappoint. Joe, Beth, Suzanne, Bill, Kate, Lynn, and I spent the evening engaged in lively conversation, sharing laughs, and making great memories. There’s something about connecting over a delicious meal that makes an evening truly special.

I had a fantastic time and can’t wait for the next gathering. Good food, great friends, and a night well spent—what more could you ask for?

Peace...

 

Playing with ideas for graphics for the Mensana...

Poor Little Fishies.

One of my favorite things about Steven is I never know what he is going to say when I call. Sometimes, though, it starts out pretty ... disturbing.

Steven: I must clean up the Lake...of...Death!

Me: Er...lake of death? 

Yes. The Lake...of...Death!

You have a lake of death? 

Yes. 

<long pause>

Umm...

It finally happened, Bunny.

A lake of death?

Yes.

Umm...

Yes. The fish did not survive the winter.

Heavy sigh. He has a pond in his backyard with about 20 goldfish. They've lived for, I don't know, 10 years or more? They were large. And today, they were all floating. 

Poor fishies.

Bruce in the USA at the Riviera Theatre

My friend Lynn and I went out for dinner at Joe's New York Style Pizza followed by a short walk to the Riviera Theatre to see Bruce in the USA, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. I completely forgot to take pictures (rookie mistake!), but that didn’t stop me from having a great time.

Joe’s New York Style Pizza was a convenient stop, but the food itself was pretty average. I ordered a cheeseburger combo with mayo and ketchup—except the ketchup was missing. The burger was just okay, nothing special. The fries, on the other hand, were the highlight—well-seasoned and perfect for dipping in blue cheese dressing. (If you’re in a hurry, Joe’s is a decent option, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat there again.)

If you haven’t been to the Riviera, they periodically host tribute bands for just $20, which is a steal for a fun night out. The venue itself is gorgeous, and while it seemed like they were having some sound issues—at times, the lead singer’s voice faded in and out—it didn’t take away from the energy of the show.

Bruce in the USA delivered a fantastic performance. It was great to hear songs I hadn’t listened to in a while, like Trapped and Badlands. The band did an excellent job capturing the spirit of Springsteen’s music, and the crowd was clearly into it, singing along with every song.

All in all, it was an awesome night of live music at a great price. If you get a chance to see Bruce in the USA or check out another tribute band at the Riviera, I’d definitely recommend it! The Riviera Theatre website is Riviera Theatre. Bruce in the USA can be found here.

credit to: bruceintheusa.com

Captain America - Brave New World

Steven and I saw Captain America - Brave New World. It delivers solid action, drama, and spectacle. It’s not groundbreaking, but it keeps the momentum going.

Anthony Mackie shines as Captain America, bringing both physicality and emotional depth. The action sequences are well-executed, with standout fight choreography. However, the story leans too much on familiar beats, making some moments predictable.

Visually, it meets Marvel’s high standards, though it doesn’t introduce anything new. Still, it’s a fun, action-packed ride that stays true to the character—just don’t expect the next Winter Soldier.

Exploring the World of Social Media

 

Social media has revolutionized how we communicate, connect, and share. Each platform brings something unique to the table, catering to different audiences and purposes. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular platforms.

Facebook: With over 2.9 billion users, Facebook remains the go-to platform for staying connected with friends and family. Its features include status updates, photo sharing, groups, and an ever-evolving marketplace. It’s perfect for those seeking a mix of personal connection and community.

Instagram: Known for its visually-driven content, Instagram focuses on photos and videos. From personal snapshots to professional reels, this platform thrives on creativity. Stories and posts cater to short-term and long-term content, making it a favorite among influencers and brands.

Twitter: If you’re after real-time updates and concise communication, Twitter is your playground. With its 280-character limit, it’s great for news, opinions, and viral trends. It also excels in connecting people through hashtags and ongoing conversations.

LinkedIn: A professional networking giant, LinkedIn caters to career-focused individuals. Whether you’re job hunting, showcasing your expertise, or learning from industry leaders, LinkedIn helps build and nurture professional relationships.

TikTok: Rising rapidly, TikTok is a hub for short, engaging videos. From dances to life hacks, it thrives on creativity and trends. Its algorithm ensures you discover content tailored to your interests, making it addictive for many users.

Snapchat: Popular among younger audiences, Snapchat revolves around ephemeral content. With disappearing snaps, quirky filters, and private messaging, it emphasizes quick, casual interactions.

While social media connects us in countless ways, there’s still something special about receiving a handwritten letter in the mail. It’s a timeless reminder that meaningful connections can take many forms—both digital and physical.