I do not know about others out there, but choosing a “favorite” this month was rather tough for me. There were ten compelling stories (actually there were eleven, but John’s of Pairs with: Life was ineligible since he won last month and chose this month’s theme: Winestory) and before I voted, I was not entirely sure if I should vote for the best written or the most compelling story. There was the glass washer (and apparently glass breaker), the converted Canadian whiskey drinker/label hoarder, the son (and brother) of probable alcoholics, the new father of a gorgeous baby girl, the fauteuil inhabiting WSET student, a bilingual Italian working in the “biz,” the #CabFrancDay founder, the transplanted Southern Belle, the wife that convinced her hubby to move to Bordeaux, and the stay at home poet.

Wonderful stories, all in all a joy to read, all worthy of this month’s “crown” (Note: there is not an actual “crown” of any sort—there is a virtual “pat on the back” from all those who participated, followed immediately by the clamor of “Yeah, you won. Great. What’s the new theme?).

In the end, however, there can only be one….

The Epicurious Texan

You might all think that Shez, the author at The Epicurious Texan won because I now live in Texas and well, this would probably not be the first time that there was some electioneering in the Great State of Texas.

That’s not it.

You might also think she won since there was a gratuitous mention of yours truly in her post.

Good guess, but no.

You might also think that she won because she wrote the best written and most compelling submission.

While that might indeed be true, it is not why she won.

She won because of a rather novel and old-fashioned idea:

She got the most votes.

As winner of the Challenge,  Shez is now responsible for choosing next month’s theme, which hopefully she will submit to me by this weekend so that we can get the next Challenge (#30!) up and running before the holidays hit us right between the eyes.No pressure! (But I really do not mean that—I will be pressuring her stating tomorrow.)

Congratulations Shez! (Is that pronounced “Shay” or does it rhyme with “Says”? I have no idea…)

(You also get the “privilege” of displaying this badge on your site if you so desire.)