Desert Rose

The Desert Rose (Adenium) can grow in the desert, but it’s not a rose. This Desert Rose does very well growing in our back yard, with very minimal care and attention.[1. Minimal care and attention is the top level of care offered to plants in my yard.] About all that is really necessary is a sunny location. As you can see, the bright red color is spectacular.

Another view of the same plant.

FOOTNOTES:

Country Style Vanilla Ice Cream (requires cooking)

Recipe: Country Style Vanilla Ice Cream

Summary: Home made vanilla ice cream, printed years ago in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Requires cooking. Note, this is a 5 quart recipe. See variation for 6 quart recipe. This ice cream is very creamy, and has a custard texture. It is a little more work, but worth it, in my opinion.

Ingredients

5 eggs (6 eggs for 6 quart recipe)
3 1/4 cup sugar (4 cups for 6 quart recipe)
5 cups whipping cream (6 cups for 6 quart recipe)
Approx. 6 1/2 cups milk (8 cups for 6 quart recipe). NOTE: Only 4 cups is cooked
2 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract (3 tablespoons for 6 quart recipe). ADDED AFTER COOKING
about 3 bags of ice
Rock Salt

Instructions

Combine eggs (beaten), sugar, cream and 4 cups of milk

Cook mixture until 160-165 degrees F. The recipe in the Sun-Sentinel says, “lightly coats spoon and finger leaves a path when drawn across back of spoon.” Frankly, this method of checking the temperature never works for me. However, there are two important reasons to achieve this temperature–which is pretty hot but NOT boiling–so it is probably best to use a thermometer. First of all, cooking the mixture fundamentally changes the taste and texture of the final product. Secondly this temperature is what is needed to kill any salmonella bacteria.[2. Apparently the risk of contracting salmonella is small. However, this factor is why I personally recommend skipping the “raw egg” ice cream recipes, unless you use an “egg substitute.” There is an excellent article on point at MissouriFamilies.ORG]
Chill completely in fridge or ice bath. If warm, you may churn flakes of butter. I put the can in the ice cream freezer, and add the ice, but DON’T start the motor/cranking, for about an hour until the mixture in the can is cool to the touch.
Add the additional ingredients. Note the milk is added last, and the amount listed is only an estimate. Add until the fill line.
Crank the ice cream per the general instructions.

CulinaryTradition: USA (Traditional)

My rating: 5.0 stars

Christian Movie Review: Carriers (2009)

GENRE: Horror, Science Fiction
ACTORS: Lou Taylor Pucci, Chris Pine, Piper Perabo, Emily VanCamp, Kiernan Shipka , Christopher Meloni, Dale Malley, Stacy Marie Warden, Dylan Kenin, Josh Berry
RATING: PG-13
PARENTAL NOTE: Not intended for children. Bad language and questionable situations. Violence.
INTENDED AUDIENCE: This movie is intended for fans of the genre, and may not be appreciated by others.
GENERAL PLOT: (No spoilers) Uncle Josh[1. Cal Stewart (1856-1919) was a pioneer in vaudeville and early sound recordings. He is best remembered for his comic monologues in which he played “Uncle Josh” Weathersby, a resident of a mythical New England farming town called “Punkin Center.”] once quipped that all paths lead to the grave. In CARRIERS, as in THE ROAD (another recently released on DVD end of the world story), it turns out that ALMOST ALL paths and/or roads lead to the grave.[2. Of course, no one in these movies literally makes to an actual grave. The people who die mainly just drop and rot where the body lies (instances of cannibalism excluded).] However, ALL paths do seem to lead to the beach. The plot of CARRIERS isn’t so exceptional. Four people on a road trip to the Pacific Ocean try to avoid catching a highly contagious virus which has killed off most of the human population. Their adventures, reactions, and the folks they meet along the path make an entertaining tale.

REVIEW: As stated above, the simple plot is not what drives this movie. This is a well stated tale of what could happen when the end of the world gets around to happening. Human nature being what it is, not all of the actions and reactions of the characters present the human race at it finest. Frankly some of the main characters’ decisions seem directly at odds with their stated goal of staying alive. Yet, I think most, if not all, of their stupid choices are completely consistent with how actual human beings would behave in like circumstances. But the really compelling behavior of these “survivors” involves the moral choices they make–whether they seem wise or stupid to the viewer. In fact, we are presented with apparently good people who react badly when confronted with life and death situations. Some people react more badly than others. From a Christian point of view, I’d caution you to not put too much weight on how well this movie matches up with Biblical prophecy about the end times. Rather, I think the better view is to concede that CARRIERS is fiction. CARRIERS follows in a long tradition of books and movies about the end of the world. I’ve read and seen quite a few of them. This film definitely held my attention. It’s well worth watching, if you’re not put off by the genre.
RECOMMENDATION:[2. If you wonder why horror films have space on a Christian website like K_Line Christian Online, please see my blog post on point] This is a horror movie. Many people will be highly offended by every movie in this genre because of the graphic violence, gore, language and other questionable elements. However, if you are a fan of this genre–I recommend watching CARRIERS.
RATING (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★

MOVIE RATING SYSTEM:

Start with zero (0) out of five (5) possible STARS

Add one STAR if it looks like the movie was made by professional film makers–not 4 or 5 guys with a camcorder.
Add one STAR if the film has a story, theme or plot (optional for horror and/or zombie movies); or if the movie makes any sense.
Add additional STARS for special effects, acting, good moral message(s), realistic zombies, scariness,
interesting theme or plot and the like.
Subtract STARS for extreme bad acting, COMPLETELY awful themes/messages, overall INCREDIBLE trashiness, graphic and persistent lewdness, and the like.