Spice!

They say that you can learn a lot about your baby before it's even born based on how it behaves during the pregnancy. I believe that to be true for the most part. Both Dolly and PC were little acrobats while I carried them, and to this day, they still are. Dolly seemed impulsive - quiet and then suddenly active, whereas PC just kept going... and going... and going - never quite as explosively as his sister, but much more consistently. And they haven't changed.

Dolly is impulsive and gets excited or disappointed at the drop of a hat, where PC seems to think about everything and appears to plan out every detail which he methodically carries out. For example, say each wanted to get up on my bed. This is how it would work: Dolly would get to our very high bed, decide she wanted to get up, suddenly exclaim, "Oh no!!! I can't get up!" cry about it a little, and then start climbing up the footboard until she succeeded in getting onto our bed. PC would take a look at our high bed, leave the room, come back with a little plastic chair, place it beside the bed and proceed to climb onto the bed via the chair.

This baby however, has been much quieter during the pregnancy than the other two. It's also very deliberate. Sometimes I wonder if it will be the dreamer of the family. Lost in it's own little world oblivious to the chaos around. Either that, or it's going to be a little recluse and stubborn to boot. The one kid that misses (by various methods) the dinner call and needs a special invitation to join the family at the supper table! I guess we'll see. Eventually. Whenever it decides to grace us with its presence, that is.

Baby seems very content where it is, not caring whatsoever that it's officially three days past the doctors' estimated due date, and nearly three weeks past mine. Yesterday was my prenatal appointment, and as the doctor had indicated last week, they did try to give the baby a nudge of encouragement. But so far, nothing has happened. This baby could very well wait until next week when they pull out the big guns and actually take a step closer to induction. As I said... we'll see.

Anyway, according to myth... or old wives tales... or whatever else you want to call it, labour can be encouraged by spicy foods. I was reminded of this when Sir specially requested that I make him a favorite snack of his a couple nights ago. So, I thought I'd share it here. After all, it has been a while since I posted any recipes! Since I had just finished my supper, I didn't have very much room for this dish that night and given the amount of indigestion I've suffered recently, I didn't try too hard to make any extra room so I only got a bite or two in before I had to call it quits. Of course, nothing happened labour-wise either... not that I was surprised or anything. It just leaves more for Sir, and he deserves a treat once in a while I think.

Well, I hope those of you who decide to try the recipe, like it. Most of the measurements are estimated because when I make it I just toss a bit of this and a little of that in, until it tastes about right. You can experiment too.

Firecracker Shrimp Appetizer
Serves 3-6

• 1 bag (about 30 pieces) peeled, raw shrimp
  
• 15-20 large or about 30 small scallops (optional)
  
• 15-20 fresh sliced mushrooms (optional)
  
• Up to ½ cup butter as needed
  
• 3-4 cloves garlic - crushed
  
• 3-4 tsp lemon juice
  
• ½-1 tsp hot chili powder
  
• ½ tsp salt
  
• 1 handful of shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

- In a saucepan, cook shrimp (and scallops if desired) until done, draining water occasionally.
- Continue to cook until most of the water evaporates.
- Add (mushrooms if desired,)approximately 1/4 cup of butter and garlic. Saute shortly (or until mushrooms are done.
- Add chili powder (use half and sample - it gets spicier as it cooks), lemon juice and salt (to taste).
- Stir and saute for a short while longer, adding more butter, lemon juice and/or chili powder as needed.
- Remove from heat, garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve with warm crusty bread.

Enjoy!