Our state School Employees Retirement organization decided to do something to help retirees pass some time and possibly win a little something as well. They decided to hold a contest, well, two contests actually. Each one has a prize of a $50 gift card. I thought it would be fun to enter so I did. However, I didn’t realize the difficulty I would have in making a decision as what to enter. Let me explain.
The first contest was to list your favorite book on the PASR Facebook page. The person who got the most likes would win. Favorite book! Only one! How do I decide? I have been reading books since I learned how to read. How can I pick just one. My favorites change as I read more.
Do I pick the book that I have read more than once? In that case it would be Dracula by Bram Stoker. What does that tell you about me?
Do I pick something epic like Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell or Les Miserables by Victor Hugo both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. How about 11/22/63 by Stephen King?
Maybe I should pick one of my Kindle books. I really enjoyed The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch. The author is a descendant of an actual hangman.
Maybe a YA novel. Double Dutch by Sharon Draper comes to mind. Of course, there is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle or A Bridge to Terribithia by Katherine Patterson.
In the end I chose Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz. This book introduces us to Evan Smoak who worked for an elite government agency no on his own helping people. I won’t say much except that the book is action packed and each book in the series, there are 5 now, leaves you anxiously waiting for the next.
The second contest was to list your favorite recipe. Again, this was a tough choice. Do I pick a main dish a side, or a dessert? I enjoy eating and I like cooking.
I admit I have a sweet tooth so desserts would be good. I have some that are easy and not much work such as a pineapple cake with cream cheese icing. I also have a complicated, but delicious no bake cheesecake recipe. It is work, but the result is great for a special occasion.
What about a main dish? Baked ziti is a favorite and not too difficult to make. Veg pack is another easy meal using ground meat, hot dogs vegetables, and topped with dumplings.
I decided to go with something I have been making for 40 years. It is quick, to prepare at least, tastes gook, and great for company because you put it in the oven and forget about it until it is done, two and a half hours later: Baked Chicken and Rice.
If you would like to check out the recipe and some others people have posted you can go to PASR’s Facebook page to see them. Just log into FB and search pasr or Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
arjeha 
What a fun thing to do! I also would have a hard time picking one book to share! Hope you win on of them!
Thanks. It would be nice to win one of them.
I would have a terrible time choosing just one book and just one recipe, too. So here’s some choices, just what popped into my mind… no time for thinking it over allowed:
Book: Where the Lilies Bloom ( this is a favorite movie, too… and it is a favorite because of emotions and experiences associated with both)
Recipe: Zucchini Skillet Supper (in one of my favorite cookbooks- The Mire With Less Cookbook- although the recipe is more of a suggestion now as I make it with whatever fresh stuff is available in the summertime)
Maybe if I didn’t like to read or eat as much the choice would have been easier.
True for me, too!
Definitely fun but complicated. The book decision is never easy – there are just too many options. Les Miserables is always near the top of my list. I have read it multiple times, and, in fact, love it so much I refuse to see the play.
The play did take some liberties with the book, but I still enjoyed the show. It has a terrific score.
I know that “pick a favorite book” dilemma. There was a 7-day challenge on Facebook and I had to give up after day 5. I got so worried about choosing. You say it best when you say that who we are when we read makes the book different. Oh, that Louise Rosenblatt was a smart cookie! Now you’ve made me hungry. (I never told you I make that toffee concoction you posted in March. Holy Moly!) Time for breakfast.
Glad you liked the toffee. It is always a hit when I take it somewhere. One piece is never enough.
I would have the same trouble! For a recipe now I think I’d choose S’more cookie bars (we love them!) I checked out the chicken recipe, and I think it is one my children might eat (our list is short!)
The chicken is delicious and not much work to throw together. Leftovers heat up nicely, too.
Oh wow, I would have had an impossible time with both challenges too! Sooo many possibilities for both, and I don’t know how to have a single favorite to share.
Some choices are just difficult to make.
“What is your favorite book?” is the worst question to ask a librarian; I always have the hardest time answering! Thanks for letting us know a little more about you as you thought through your answers to the contest questions. Fingers crossed you win the gift card!
I can just imagine how hard it would be for a librarian to answer this. It would be nice to win a gift card. We shall see.