Trans Siberian Orchestra ~ A Review

A rock concert for people who don't ordinarily go to rock concerts.

Finally, finally, *FINALLY* got to go see them ~ and it was worth the wait. It was absolutely fantastic. Great songs ~ Christmas-y and otherwise. Great light and stage show, complete with lasers; racing, colored fire; big screens behind the band; moving overhead lights; hot-white spotlights; risers; musicians running through the crowd and onto *more* risers... the whole 9 yards. And the energy... top notch. Had a moment where I thought I was at 'American Idol' but it quickly passed. lol

Screaming lead guitar playing O Holy Night is forever burned into my brain. It's a happy feeling. They played several classics, but rocked them out. Anyone who loves a little cello and violin ~ okay, a LOT of cello and violin AND piano ~ in their rock and roll Christmas music will love this. The two young violinists were rocking harder than anyone, and the singers ~ simply wonderful.

There was a man with a unique, hypnotizing voice telling a story in between the songs during the first half of the performance... but it was a disjointed story and difficult to follow. A bit rambling, no clear "moral" except maybe to be generous and that help can come from strange places...? But no worries. He was lovely to listen to, and was a minor (for me) part of the show.

5 stars. May just become a Christmas staple for my family.

Cranberry Liqueur

Fresh cranberries are not available all year long.
How do I know that? Because the first year I made this, I went to make another batch mid-January and there wasn't a fresh cranberry to be had... anywhere. I checked 4-5 grocery stores *and* asked the produce managers. The best they could suggest was to check the freezer section.

And that, my fellow imbibers, is why *now* is the time to act if you'd like to make this delicious liqueur.

I've made it as gifts in years past ~ just fill a half pint canning jar as if it were moonshine ~ or any decorative bottle. I also like to keep a bottle (bigger than a half pint!) around for myself. The photo is the last of last year's batch, so it's beautiful cranberry color has faded, but when it's fresh, it's a very pretty, bright color.

Ingredients:
4.5 cups vodka
1.5 cups triple sec*
3 cups sugar
2 bags fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large jar and let sit a room temperature for 3-4 weeks, shaking the jar every 4 or 5 days. Strain and pour into bottles. Makes about 6 cups.

*I'd seen recipes for this that included orange slices, as well as ones that didn't. I thought a bit of orange sounded good, but the first time I made it I didn't have any handy. I did, however, have some triple sec in the cupboard, and... as I recall, I was short of vodka, too (yes, I always plan so well ahead ;-P). So I was mixing and matching and as I was very happy with the result, I rewrote the recipe to suit myself!