I’d like to say that Saturday’s beautiful full moon made judging the annual Foxboro Christmas Lights contest a joyful experience. Not! I think my mother-in-law and her sister and I were jinxed, or at least directionally challenged, as we traversed the neighborhood first north and south, then east to west in search of the best lights, most creative home, best front door and other categories.

The luminaries were beautiful and I’d estimate that Foxboro had 98 percent participation in the city’s annual holiday tradition. We thought that the winning houses would just speak to us, that we’d know a winner the minute we saw it, and that we’d be back home in 30 minutes. More than two-and-a-half-hours later, I finally slipped the list of winners in the designated mail box and went home for a hot toddy; well, make that two.

Want to see how we did? Two of the five winners are on Steeplechase Road. Take a spin down Foxboro’s main drag and see if you can guess what ones we loved in the Most Creative and Best Lights categories. The Best Overall Award went to a home on Fox Run. The Best Mailbox? On Coxboro. And the best front door. Lord, I have no idea. Could have been Brushboro, could have been Queensboro, could have been…

A memorable meal to share

Have you been to Mack & Kate’s restaurant in Camden Commons at Gateway Village? If not, get thyself there as soon as possible – but make a reservation before you do because you’ll probably need one.

I finally made it there Friday night. Oh my. What was I waiting for? Someone to pay for it? Well, yes, but ….

The dinner (shrimp and grits for me; steak biscuits for Larry) and the suggested bottle of wine (Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir) were worth every penny. Our party of 10 shared several appetizers and all were delicious. No one left hungry, or unsatisfied.

This holiday season I am thankful that Brentwood and the Cool Springs area now have more than a handful of independent restaurants. Whether formal or funky, casual or cool, all have definitely expanded our culinary options in recent years.