Excited Grins Abound!

So, when I finished my Flash! Friday entry from this week, I wasn't sure I liked it.  Then I read many of the other entries and saw my story wasn't quite in line with the theme and message that other writers had picked up from the prompt—some of which were utterly heart-wrenching. Though I had been lucky enough to be awarded the distinction of Honorable Mentions for my first two stories, I had accepted that this week's attempt (like my 3rd story) wouldn't quite make it.  

Still, as I have come to do, I carefully watched Flash! Friday's twitter, waiting for the announcement.  Then I had one of those "rereading what's in front of me multiple times" moments, because my story was chosen as this week's winner!!  Looks like 4th time's the charm! Just goes to show that writers are awful judges of our own work.

This week's judge, Beth Peterson, wrote:

This story really pulled me in; the sights, the sounds (especially of the snow crunching under the boots) and the wash of the heat from the open oven… all contributed to a very well-written, immersive story. The reader-driven probability of a misdirect gave this slice of life story an added boost of pleasure.

Now I get a swanky winner's page with my story and this fiercely fiery winner's badge:

This also means I'll get to do a "60 second" interview this upcoming week.  All in all, pretty exciting news! (Thus all the exclamation points.)  Much thanks to Beth Peterson and to our dragon-loving host, Rebekah Postupak!