CHRISTMAS DATE-NUT COOKIES 1 cup shortening 2 cups brown sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup buttermilk 3 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups chopped pecans 2 cups (8 ounces) PITTED dates candied cherries (if whole, slice in halves) Mix shortening, sugar, and eggs. Stir in milk flour, soda, and salt. Mix well. Add pecans and dates. Chill about 2 hours or until stiff. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drop dough with teaspoon about 2" apart onto greased cookie sheet. Top Each cookie with a candied cherry, halved. Bake 8-10 minutes Yield: about 8 dozen. Tip: I usually make up the dough before I go to bed at night and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. Then, I bake in the morning. Antoinette Klein Source: my mom, Argentine Carnaggio