Tonight, Mike and I are making "Grilled Ginger Habanero Shrimp" - September's recipe in 2011's "Cooking with Friends" calendar.  This is from our "wild and crazy" friend Brian Pitts - who's also a great cook!  We learned a new culinary "trick" (well, new to us) - how to get the juice out of a coconut.  Oh how nice to have the internet to research these things.  Brian had some ideas - but I wonder - does he really use fresh coconut juice???  I don't think so, but I'd never tell him that . . .

2011 was our 3rd calendar.  "Our" refers to me (the painter) and my pal and partner Holly Bikakis (the graphic guru).  Each month has a recipe from a friend plus a painting I did to "interpret" the recipe, and Holly puts it all together in a colorful, fun calendar.  Our 4th calendar (2012) is at the printers now.  So - after 4 years, I've added 52 yummy new dishes to my personal "cookbook!"  (Each calendar has the January of the following year - so a bonus recipe!)  And I've built up quite a collection of "food-related" art!!!  

You can check out the 2012 calendar on my website.  Here's a sneak preview of the calendar cover - 


                    

2012 calendars are available ~ Oct. 11.  Of course you may order now!!  These are in a limited edition of 500 - we sold out last year.  Great little gifts, and a collectors item! 

Okay - I'm off to paint while the shrimp are marinating.  Hope your day is as beautiful as we have here in Kansas City!!!  Enjoy -

p.s. in case you're wondering about the flamingo - check out the Pitts front yard!!  Did I say "wild and crazy"?