Raisin-Cranberry Nut Cookies

As always, simple cookies get the cookie jar filled in short order and makes one a much-loved mother. And, if you  sneak in some raisins and nuts, you can almost feel healthy.

Raisin-Cranberry Nut Cookies
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups shortening
1/2 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1 tablespoon of freshly grated orange zest
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup milk

Run the raisins, cranberries, and walnuts through the food processor briefly to coarsely chop them up a bit.

Place the shortening and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until well-combined and fluffy. Add the eggs, extracts, and zest. Beat well.

Mix together the dry ingredients. Add to the shortening/sugar combination along with the milk. Mix well. Chill the dough until easy to roll out and handle.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray.

Divide the dough up into thirds or fourths for easy rolling. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to about 1/4-inch thick. With a large, round cookie cutter (or your choice of shape!) cut out the cookies and place them about one-inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Place on wire racks to cool.

Orange Glaze
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Enough fresh orange juice to form a glaze

When the cookies are cooled, you can either brush on a coating of glaze or drizzle it over them.

Where does one draw the line . . .

When the monster storm, Sandy, was about to hit our shores, the president gave a speech and included something to the effect that we want to be prepared and leave no one unattended, forgotten, or behind. I couldn't help thinking back on the Benghazi Embassy burning where American citizens died because they were basically 'left behind' to fend for themselves. It is interesting to note that Benghazi, one of the places with great unrest, was the least protected of all our embassies in the world. It is sad to reflect that 'boots on the ground' were ready to roll and called off. It is sad to think that the two Marines that died trying to defend the place were turned down three times when they requested backup and help. According to many reports, the closest help was about 45 minutes away and the battle went on for over six hours. Then, to make things seem in order, the president actually stated that the two Marines were part of the security staff guarding the ambassador. This was not true. They happened to be there on other business and like all brave military, stepped into the fray to protect United States interests. It made them seem a bit inept as security when in fact they were heroes for all they tried to do without the help of our country at the moment they needed it.

It was very sad to see the presidential photo of the president and staff observing and discussing the progress of the storm. Where was this when our embassy and soldiers asked for and did not get help?

Both situations are awful and the storm's results are beyond our control. When we give and pray for the people suffering the effects and losses brought on by the power of nature, we need to remember the few, brave people who acted in our best interests in Benghazi and received no help when it was needed the most.

Election Day Approaches - Think About It!

"This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves." - Ronald Reagan