Winner, Winner...Chicken Dinner!

One of my most unexpected joys is the suburban-dream-life we've happened upon. Before living on the cul-de-sac that we now call heaven, we were decidedly hip, urban DINKs (especially in our minds.)

Now, all that has changed.

We've become one of those predictable, conservative families that you'd expect to find living in a safe neighborhood with well-manicured lawns. You probably know someone just like us who vacations in Florida and goes to church 3 out of 4 weekends.

Me-ten-years-ago would have been rolling my eyes at me-now for being so...provincial. And for being one of those families on a street brimming with over-indulged kids who get sent to time-out instead of getting old school beat when they act up.

Can you picture our little street? Its a place where people demonstrate courtesy and keep and eye on each other. Neighbors come outside every afternoon to watch the kids play and discuss our comings and goings. We know each other by name and have old fashion block parties in the street. I couldn't have hand-picked nicer people to share a place in the world with.

Our Halloween festivities included trick-or-treating for the kids and a chili cook-off for the bigger kids. 18 pots were entered in this, our first annual street cook-off organized by our mayor and social chairman who lives next door.

The husbands on the street really embraced the game, but who says a good pot of chili is man's domain? I was almost giddy when I learned there was a trophy involved. A trophy...a forever, tangible reminder of victory.

I brought my A-game and a simple strategy: make a chicken chili that would stand out amongst all the beef and would appeal to the women. Well, it worked. I took the first place trophy and a little bit of ribbing by the men. A few congratulated me on winning the "chicken soup" contest. I'm not the only one who wanted that trophy, it seems.

The trophy will occupy a place of honor in my house. And it will be visible when said, lovely neighbors come over so we can rejoice in the memory of my big moment. I'm already working out some ideas for next year's contest. I have to defend my title and step it up now that they know Superstar don't play.

What a decadent week its been for me!

The idyllic life on this cul-de-sac, quiet and boring though it may seem to the outside world, is not without opportunities to shine.

And shine where I must.