Cookie with Date Filling

1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup margarine 1-1/4 cups brown sugar 1 tsp baking soda 2 tbsps boiling water 1/2 tsp vanilla 2 cups pastry flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups rolled oats Date Filling 1/2 lb chopped dates 2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsps orange juice 1/2 cup cold water 1/2 orange grated rind 1 tsp lemon juice

325 12 minutes Cream butter and margarine together with sugar. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to cream mixture. Add the rest of the ingredients working in rolled oats. Refrigerate 1 hour. Make into balls and press with fork. Fill with date filling. Date Filling Mix all ingredients (except for juices) together and cook over moderate heat til thick and smooth.

Auntie Dora