Grandma made the best cookies, didn't she? She didn't work outside the home. Those were the days when she washed, starched and ironed her ruffled curtains and had time to crochet frilly doilies for the end tables next to the sofa. Ruffled curtains are things of the past as are crocheted doilies. She didn't have to get the kids properly dressed for school and then get herself to her job on time. She did have time to polish up on her cookie recipes.

I remember the time I came home from work to find my kindergarten-aged daughter asleep on the living room rug. She did that every day - a short nap before supper. It was in the dead of winter, cold, with snow on everything. There she lay dressed in shorts and a skimpy top. What must her teacher have tought of me, sending her to school dressed like that? BUT I DIDN'T DO IT! After I left for my job and before the school bus came, she changed into an outfit more to her liking. But that wasn't as bad as the time she decided that if I wore make-up, so could she. I guess her teacher was ready for anything coming out of our house. I didn't try to explain the make-up episode.

Where am I going with this? Of course, Grandma had time to do a visual check of her children before they went out the door. Good for her! She also had time to cut raisins to make this oatmeal cookie recipe. Don't you hate it when people are perfect?

GRANDMA'S OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES
2 cups cut-up raisins
2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups plain flour
2 cups old fashion oatmeal (large flakes)
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

Measure out 2 cups raisins. Cut each raisin in half with kitchen shears. Place cut raisins in small bowl. Cover with boiling water. Let stand 5 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
In large bowl, with hand mixer, cream shortening with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt. With large kitchen spoon, gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins. Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten by pressing with bottom of a glass. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Remove to rack to cool. Makes 4 dozen. This is my favorite cookie.