Recipe from my Grandma. Everyone likes these but men seem to really go for them!?

Date & Raisin Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening (not oil)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda, dissolved in 1/4 c. boiling water
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup raisins (and a little more)

Mix the brown sugar and shortening together. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix the cinnamon into the flour and mix them into the batter. Add the soda water and mix again. Add the dates & raisins and mix well. Drop by the tablespoonful (or teaspoon for smaller cookies) onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 350F.
They freeze well too.