1/2 lb. bag raisins
1 1/3 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. Crisco shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 c. flour
2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. chopped nuts

Boil raisins and water 10 minutes (save raisin water); cool. Mix sugar and shortening. Add eggs and mix again. Next add soda (dissolved in 1/3 cup raisin water), salt and vanilla. Mix in flour and oatmeal. Add raisins and chopped nuts. Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet. DO NOT FLATTEN. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes.