Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.

Boil 10 minutes: brown sugar, 1 cup water, raisins or dates, butter, nutmeg, dash of salt. Remove from heat and add the baking soda.

Cool. Add: vanilla, flour, oatmeal, and chopped nuts.

These are better if baked the next day.

Bake on greased cookie sheet 10 to 12 minutes at 375°F.

Optional: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and/or ginger.