AND TODAY IN THE NEWS...

My heart is heavy…

As I am walking down the street, I see Medgar Evers coming out of an office building.  At the park I see Martin Luther King addressing a crown of people.  At the bus stop, Rosa Parks is checking her watch as she waits for the next bus.  Across the street a man hangs a sign at the window of his diner that says “No coloreds allowed”.   I spot a newspaper stand and run and grab a copy of The Times.  On the front page it says, “Suspect in Church Shooting Intended to Start Race War”.   Another front page headlines, “Eighth Southern Black Church Burned in 10 Days”.   The date on the newspapers: 2015.  Have things never changed?

It sounds like a script from a made for TV movie, but it is how I’m feeling these days.  It’s like we have gone back decades to a time where these events were part of everyday activities.   It has taken me weeks to write this post after the racial crimes occurred.  Stories I used to read about in history books or hear from elders, somehow are being re-enacted today.   It wasn’t hard to find people to talk about what has been happening; opinions were given freely.  From the many different opinions I received from black and white, men and women, the common thread was that racism will never end. 

My heart is heavy…

I have to admit, after all seeing all of the media reports, it hasn’t made me angry about the stupidity.  It’s made me sad.  Sure, on the surface we have changed as a nation.  After all, schools aren’t segregated, restaurants welcome all races, and we have elected an African American in the highest political office.   But the stench of racism has only been masked until now.  The sad thing is this is all learned behavior.  Instead of teaching the younger generation leadership and love, they are being taught inferiority and hate.  In other words, stupidity. 

I couldn’t help but look up the famous speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr where he shared his dreams.  Yes, we have made great strides in the racial divide, but how much of it has actually stayed the same?

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

I have no deep and profound words for this post.  I just wanted to share my heart.  Feel free to comment and share yours too.

Mending Maria

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

                                                                               Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

READ A BOOK...OR TWO!

I can’t believe summer is here.  Kids are out of school, vacations are being planned and grills are firing up.  One of my favorite things to do is go to the beach and relax with a good book.  This time of year you will find many “must read” list, from the New York Times Best Sellers to the Oprah’s Book Club.  I want to share a couple of books with you that I stumbled upon that aren’t on those lists but are just as good.  These two books are self-published but the messages within the pages are as gripping and insightful.   Be sure you add these to your reading list this summer.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kayla Shai, author of Comfort, at an event in Florida where she was promoting her book.  Hearing the passion in her voice as she described the main character in the book, peaked my interest.   We ended up in a conversation about how one goes from denying God their entire life, to seeking Him for comfort.  Although the book is fiction, it is loosely based on true events.  With that being said, this story will speak to heart of many women and teens.  In the first installment of the Layla Sue series, this story is sure to move you and inspire you. 

Meet Layla Sue, a young thirteen-year-old girl on the verge of growing up in what could be her most memorable years as a teenager. With her world currently residing within the walls of a hospital room, a sickness pulling her in and out of death, and flashbacks of her uneasy, unsettling, and abusive past, life may have seemed unbearable. Fortunately for Layla, she has a God that is persistent in His pursuit toward her. He is relentless for her heart. With a God fighting for her, a cute boy playing with her attentions, and a family's love and support, Layla Sue's hospital stay may be more complex and fulfilling than she imagined. In one heart-wrenching moment, Layla Sue will come face to face with the God she had labeled fraud her whole life. Will her stubbornness keep her from the comfort and peace God wants to provide? Or will she find her comfort elsewhere?  (Tate Publishing)

Purchase Comfort at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or at www.kaylashai.com

As Jeremiah 29:11 states, God has good plans for us to prosper. Do you sometimes wonder if maybe you can be getting in the way of those plans coming to pass?  In Are You Arresting Your Blessing, the book by Melissa Weathersby, unveils how we can stop blocking our blessings and truly receive all that God has for us.  This is a common topic for us as at Mending Maria, where we receive comments and prayer requests for break though and blessings.  This book forces you to look in the mirror and see that it is not God who has not delivered.  It may be you who is not ready to receive.  This is a good read for those who ready to be blessed. 

Unlock Your Blessings! God's desire is for His creation to be blessed and fully operating in the gifts, talents, and purposes He has freely given. It has never been His desire to see His children suffer from lack in any area of life. Being healthy and whole physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially is His optimal plan for all who believe in Him. If this is so, why are so many believers struggling? Is it all due to spiritual warfare? Is it all due to generational inequities from our forefathers? While these things may very well be the issue, there are also things that believers do that stifle, slow down, or arrest their own blessings. Enjoy these biblical principles that can be applied to your life today to unlock your blessings! (Xulon Press)

Purchase Are You Arresting Your Blessing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and www.greatlighthouse.com

Check out these books today. They are my choices for fiction and non-fiction easy reading for the summer.  If you have a book you would like to recommend, let me know.  Email me at info@mendingmaria.com.  I’d love to hear from you!

Mending Maria

THE FINISH LINE II

Last week I started a two-part post about my experience with marathons.  We’ve already established that I am not a runner, per se, but as my story continues you will see that we are all runners in the journey of life.  My experience at the first marathon came with many lessons but it was the next year when I volunteers that really made everything come together. 

I arrived at the marathon’s volunteer tent the following year ready to be the best cheer leader those runners needed.  I was pumped up and had practiced some encouraging phrases to chant for when they ran past my water station.  Then the coordinator gave me my assignment: the finish line.  Ugh.  I was not looking forward to working that post but I didn’t have a choice.  When the marathon started I casually made my way to my post.  After all, it would be a while before anyone came by. 

Just like the year before, the first sign of runners was that group of determined people.  As they got closer the coordinator yelled, “OK volunteers!  Get ready with the medals.” Medals?  I was too busy grumbling earlier when the coordinator explained that we would be putting the medals on the runners when they cross the finish line.  The first runner came through with the second not far behind.  I put the medal on them and whispered, “Good job”.  They really didn’t notice me or what I said to them.  It seemed like they were more concerned with the clock and how much time it took them to run the race.  More runners came through and more medals were placed.  Group one was done.

After a short break, I saw the stampede make the turn.  I could see the look on the faces of some of the runners when they saw that they were at the end of the race.  Their faces lit up and it was as if they had a turbo boost that made them sprint to the finish line.  I had the time of my life putting medals on this group of people.  They embraced the finish line with a smile and a sigh of relief.  It was exciting seeing this group of runners finish a race that they were focused on finishing despite any distractions along the way.  I stepped away to grab more medals and all I saw were high-fives all over the place.   It was such a good feeling. 

Now that group two was done, I was able to catch my breath and take a break.  It was a long time before we saw another group of runners.  I had forgotten who the last group consisted of.  I just kept looking at my watch wondering why they weren’t saying that the race was over.   Suddenly, a few participants turned the corner walking.  I will never forget the expression on their faces when they realized that they were so close to the finish line. The walking got a little faster and quickly became a jog.  I didn’t know who these people were but my heart started beating faster as I saw them coming closer.  The first woman that crossed the line from that group, dropped to her knees and started crying, “I did it.  I did it”.  Tears rolling down my cheeks, I put the medal on her and whispered, “Congratulations.”   She looked up to me and said, “I can’t believe I did it!” 

One by one, the runners that crossed the finish line from the last group were full of tears, gratitude and faith.  Needless to say, it was overwhelming…in a good way!   I watched as the final runners came through and received their medals.  About a mile back they were ready to quit.  It was just around the corner that they thought they had come so far and there was no reward in sight.  How many times have we done the same thing?  We’ve prepared and prayed for something and we get to a point where we can’t hold on anymore and want to give up.  But how amazing is it when the little faith that we have bring us to the end and the dream becomes a reality? 

Who do you identify with in this story at the finish line?  Are you the person that goes through life looking for the wins without appreciating how and who got you there?  Or are you the person at the other end who knows, without God, there is no way you could have made it?  The very last person that crossed the finish line was a 79 year old woman.  When she crossed the line she said, “I didn’t think I could do it, but God did”.  I will never forget that moment.   I was in awe of what faith could do and the encouragement that experience gave me to keep pressing on for my dreams.  And it all came together at the finish line.

  

Mending Maria

THE FINISH LINE

Marathons…I love them.  The adrenaline and excitement, I can’t get enough.  One day I will actually run in one, but until now, I've only been a spectator (wink).    A few years ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a couple of nationally known marathons.  I was that person standing on the sidelines handing out the water to keep the runners hydrated.   Little did I know that this experience would come with many lessons. 

My post was at the last water station before the finish line.  Needless to say, it was a long time before anyone turned the curve and dashed by me.   The  small group of people ran by me and didn't even look my way.  Clearly, these were the experienced runners; the ones with the first prize on their minds.  They didn't even think of slowing down for water, let alone taking their eyes off the road to acknowledge me with a nod.  They wanted the prize and nothing was going to get in their way. 

After the “winners group” there was a break.  No runners.   Is it over already?  I thought.  That couldn't be it of the marathon.  Then someone yelled, “Here we go people…get ready!”  Before I could grab the cups of water, a herd of runners turned the corner.  One after another grabbed cups of water out of my hands, barely slowing down.  Some poured water on their heads and others drank, but all kept their eyes ahead.   Within minutes, a couple hundred runners flashed by leaving nothing but dust and crushed paper cups on the ground.   A few more runners came here and there but nothing like the stampede before. 

As the final group came, I could instantly tell that these runners were different.  Many slowed down to complete stop to catch their breath and hydrate themselves.  Then, something that I didn’t expect, they spoke to me.   “Can you tell me how much farther?”

In our training earlier that morning we were told never to answer that question if asked.   “You’re doing great!  Keep going,” I answered enthusiastically.  As if my words were seasoned with energy the runners were motivated to keep going and finish the race. 

I was amazed how the last group of people were so different from the first.  So many of them slowed down looking defeated and discouraged, all asking, “How much farther?”    As more walked by (yes, many were walking by this time) I heard the whining, “What was I thinking?  I can’t do t his.  It’s too far”.  After all of the training and preparing these runners did before the marathon day, was this how it was going to end?

After watching this for a few minutes, I couldn't take it anymore.  I started to applaud the walkers and shout “You can do it.  Let’s go…you can do it!”  Other volunteers started clapping too and joined me with the motivating words.   The walkers turned in to joggers and soon the joggers became runners.  Minutes later the last runner came by and everyone was clapping and cheering, she didn't have a chance to get discouraged.  It was exhilarating.

 

Who is standing on the sidelines of your life?  Are they cheering you on?   Are they encouraging you and motivating you when you need it?  Some of us can relate to the first group of runners, focused on the prize.  Do you have people in place that won’t stand in the way of your dreams?  Some can relate to the next group who is determined and keeps running while they grab water.  They know where they are going but need a little something to keep them from being defeated and deflated.  Others can relate to the last group.  So lost in their own negativity and complaining, they can’t hear the positivity around them.  Who is standing on the sidelines for you? 

Think about the race you are running in your life and what your goal is.  How are you doing so far?  Comment below or email me directly at info@mendingmaria.com and share your thoughts.

Next week I will share another marathon experience with you in part two of this story.

Mending Maria 

NO ORDINARY TURNOVER

Last week I indulged in celebrating a national holiday.  That’s right, you guessed it.  April 8^th was National Empanada Day.   Mmmm….so good!  A friend of mine shared some of this savory, stuffed pastry goodness and I’m still licking my lips.  This is no ordinary turnover!  

Now, you all know I love to cook, so I had to add empanadas to culinary favorites.  Of course, her great grandmother’s recipe wouldn’t leave her lips, so I had to go searching for my own.  I found these two recipes for empanadas that will be a great addition to my next gathering. 

I decided to make a savory and a sweet empanada.  Try it and tell me what you think!

Puerto Rican Style Empanadas

Dough:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil

1 cup warm water

1/2 teaspoon annato seed (optional for color)

Filling:

1 lb. browned ground beef or cooked shredded chicken

1/2 medium onion, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/8 c. chopped fresh cilantro

1/8 c. sliced green olives

salt and pepper, to taste

1/4-1/2 jalapeno, minced (optional)

1 tbsp. tomato paste

1 pkg. Goya Sazon with annatto

For cooking:

1 cup vegetable oil for frying.

DOUGH: Combine all the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric

mixer; add all wet ingredients. Mix for about 3 minutes until well

combined. Dough will form.  Remove dough and knead for about 3 minutes, let sit wrapped in plastic wrap for another 15 minutes. Divide into 12 pieces, then roll into 4 inch circles.

FILLING: Brown ground beef (drain excess grease), or sauté shredded chicken in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add all the ingredients and cook for an additional 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Let cool.

COOKING: Preheat the vegetable oil in a frying pan at about a medium

temperature. Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling in the dough and

seal the edges with a fork.  Deep fry for about 5 minutes on each side, then place on dish lined with papertowels.

Press another layer of paper towels over the top. Serve.

Makes 12 Empanadas.

Submitted by: Yasmin Hernandez

http://www.cooks.com/recipe/bs5c658i/empanadas.html

Mexican Empanadas (Dessert)

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened

1 (3oz) package cream cheese

1 cup sifted all purpose flour

1 cup fruit preserves

1/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Day before: cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended.  Beat in the flour.  Shape dough in to a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to a week.

At baking time: Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before using.  Start heating oven to 375 degrees F.  Roll chilled dough thin.  Cut with a 3 or 4 inch round cutter.  Place small spoonfuls of ham in center of each round, moisten edges with water. 

Fold round over and press edges together.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 15-20 minutes.  Immediately roll in sugar mixed with cinnamon (traditional) OR in confectioner’s sugar if preferred.  

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Empanadas/Detail.aspx?evt19=1&referringHubId=1217

Mending Maria

P.S.  If you have a different recipe for empanadas, share it with me.  Email me at info@mendingmaria.com

   

HAPPY....EASTER?

            I was at work the other day talking to one of my clients about his account.  He is a dear old man, very wise in business and in life.  Before we ended the call he paused and said, “Can I ask you a question?  Are you Catholic?”  I was not expecting him to ask me that especially after talking business.    I responded, “I used to be.  I am a born again Christian now.”

He chuckled and said, “I’m glad I asked.  I was about to wish you a happy Easter, as Catholics do.  But being a born again Christian you probably say, ‘Happy Resurrection Day’.  You’ll never hear the word Easter in a non-denominational church” He chuckled again.  I was glad that he was so amused, but dazed by the truth in his words. 

Over the next couple of days I couldn't stop thinking about what the old man had said.  After being saved, I saw Easter in a different way.   I had a better understanding that Jesus died on the cross for my sins but rose again on third day and the holiday took on a new meaning to me.  What I could never understand was the symbols that came with Easter, like the bunny rabbit, the decorated eggs and the baskets.  Where did all of that fit in?   It was like Christmas and Santa Clause.  Of course Santa Clause had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, the reason we celebrate Christmas.   The bunny has nothing to do with His resurrection either.

Eostre, Ostre, Astarte, and Ashtoreth, depending upon the area in ancient days, these were all the names of the Pagan goddess of fertility, Easter.  Every year, after the spring equinox, a festival was held named after the goddess herself.  Bunnies represented fertility.  Eggs were colored to signify the sunlight of spring and were meant as offerings to Easter during the festival.  They were planted in the dirt, hidden, until the time of the offering.  Sound familiar?  How is it that a Pagan holiday became synonymous for a Christian celebration?  

When I Googled the word Easter, images of spring, pastel colored eggs and tulips came up.  I then Googled Resurrection Sunday and images of crosses and empty tombs and Jesus came up.  A smile came to my face.  That is the “reason for the season”.  I can’t help but think that with all of the commercialism that has surrounded this holiday, people are forgetting what it is really about.   Instead, the focus is on things that have nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ.   

This Sunday, the week to come, and every day of our lives, let’s remember and celebrate the ultimate sacrifice and the great victory.  Nothing else.   Just Jesus.   

Mending Maria 

SPRING CLEANING...AGAIN!

I'm so excited that it is officially Spring!  Although some cities still have snow on the ground, there is hope for warmer weather and blooming flowers.  Since my January post about spring cleaning brought about a lot of conversation (thanks for the emails!)  I thought I would post it again.  So enjoy!

Don't you love it when spring time comes along and everything is fresh and new?  People often do deep cleaning and organization of their homes when the season comes.  My mother is a little different.  Spring cleaning would occur in December.  She always says, "You don't start the new year with dirt and a mess!"  So, every year, we would deep clean the house, rearrange furniture and get rid of things we didn't need and donate it to charity.   It was a tradition.  A few years ago I decided to take my childhood tradition and take it to another level: spiritual house cleaning.  As we say goodbye to one year and enter in to another, let's make an effort to go it with a fresh start and a clean house.    

Imagine this…

It is garbage day and you forgot to take the trash out to the curb.  Because of your busy schedule, you haven’t been able to put the trash out for quite some time and now you hear on the news that the sanitation department is on strike.  You panic because you already have a lot of trash built up and you have no idea when the next pick up will be.  Two things happen:

1.    Your home smells foul and is dirty because of all of the trash 

2.    You have no room in the house for the new furniture being delivered because the house is a mess

Of course, this example is a little extreme (hoping no one can relate to this) but it helps to explain the purpose of spiritual cleaning.  Many of us go through our busy lives fitting God in when we have time instead of making time for God.  As time goes by, we are busier and more detached spiritually.  We become used to the filth around us and become more exposed to the enemy’s tactics.  The results, similar to my example above, are two-fold:

1.    We become irritated and irritating. Our relationships suffer because instead of the sweet aromatic personality, we give off a stench of bitter garbage.

2.    Our spiritual house is so cluttered with junk, we have no room for the blessings God has for us.   Often times we can’t even recognize a blessing when it is coming our way because our focus is on the wrong thing.  

Spring cleaning - [spring klee-ning]

noun: the activity of giving a place a complete cleaning

We can polish our silver and organize our pantry but the spiritual cleaning goes deeper.  Sometimes we have things in our homes that leave us open to spiritual attacks.  Here is a list of few things that you would want to get rid of during your cleaning:

•  Ouija board and other items associated with witchcraft (even if you think it’s just for fun)
•  Things associated with past sins (there is no reason to keep the bong as a souvenir)
•  Art with demonic influence, such as, skulls, snakes death, etc. 
•  Mementos from past inappropriate relationships (that bracelet from the person you were having an affair with has to go)
• Pornography

If you have any of these items on my sample list, now is the time to part ways with them.  If you want to go in to the new year prepared for what God has planned for you, it starts with a spiritually clean house.  Once you have gone through and thrown away what doesn't belong, that's when the prayer begins.  Pray for forgiveness.  Pray for a spiritually clean home.  Pray that whatever spirits that were attached to those things are gone from your home and God's protection prevails.

The bible says in Hosea:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 (ESV)

Now that you have some knowledge, what will you do with it?  In my last post for 2014, I encourage you to start the new year off with less junk, clutter and filth, physically and spiritually.  

If you want more information and details on how to spiritually cleans your home, email me directly at info@mendingmaria.com.

Have a blessed 2015!

Mending Maria

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

When my dear friend found out that she was pregnant, she quickly ran out and purchased a book of baby names and their meanings.   A long time ago, names given to children were not only to identify who they were, but also who they were to become.  A name wasn't given because it sounded cute.  A name was given to bless and speak to the child’s destiny.  As years have gone by, babies are now being named after favorite family members, celebrities, or given a name with more syllables than necessary.    These days, names have been lost and labels have taken its place.  For example: hopeless, failure, pathetic.  The sad thing is, some of these aren't even labels given to us.  They are labels we've put on ourselves. 

I remember working in a fast paced environment that was very competitive.   It wasn't uncommon for people to be called “loser” or “vulture” depending upon their sales performance.   After some time, their personalities became exactly like the label put on them.  What label has been put on you that you’re living up to…Or living down to? 

I remember in the Bible when Rachel and Jacob were about to have their second child.   The labor was very rough on Rachel and she knew she slowly was dying giving birth to her son.  Genesis 35:16 says,

 With her last breath, for she was dying now, she named him Ben-oni (Son of My Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son of Good Fortune).

While his mother named him out of anger and distress, his father named him and blessed him with good fortune.  How awesome is that!

I don’t know about you, but I am sick of labels being put on people.  Sometimes even in everyday conversation, we can be tagged with a label.  “You’re so stupid!”  “You’re crazy!”  “You’re ridiculous!”  Here’s a thought, why don’t we take a lesson from the Bible and instead of pinning the labels on ourselves, we go with what our Father calls us. He calls us:

So tell me, what is your name?  Who do you say you are?

Mending Maria

ST. PATRICK'S DAY DESSERTS

This year is going by fast!  I have been so busy that March crept up on me before I realized it.  I am working on a huge project that I can’t wait to announce in a few weeks, but in the mean time, let’s eat!

Of course, for our monthly recipe, I have chosen desserts in honor of St. Patrick’s Day coming up on March 17^th.   All three desserts are centuries old but the taste are just as popular today.   Try one of these today  and celebrate Erin go Braugh!

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

3 tbsp butter

2 eggs

¾ cup buttermilk 

1/3 cup raisins

In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg and buttermilk.  Stir into flour mixture just until moistened.  Fold in raisins.

Knead on a floured surface for 1 minute.  Shape into a round loaf; place on a greased baking sheet.  Cut in a ¼ inch deep cross in top of loaf.  Bear remaining egg; brush over loaf. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Yield: 6-8 servings.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/irish-soda-bread

Irish Fluffy Lemon Pudding

2 tbsp butter

¼ cup berry sugar (or Castor sugar)

2 lemons

 2 eggs

½ cup flour

1¼ cups milk

Cream butter.  Add sugar and beat well.  Grate the rind of the lemons and squeeze out the juice, strain, set aside.  

Separate the eggs, add one yolk at a time to the butter/sugar mixture beating well between.  Stir in the flour and gradually add the lemon juice and rind.

Add milk.  Whisk the egg whites stiff and fold gently into the batter.

Place into a pie plate and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 40 minutes. 

Serve with whipped cream.

http://www.food.com/recipe/irish-fluffy-lemon-pudding-20889

Irish Whiskey Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

¼ cup Irish whiskey

¼ cup candied citron, chopped

¼ cup golden raisins, blanched and chopped

¼ cip almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease two cookie sheets; set aside.  In a small mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar.  Beat in the eggs until well blended.  Add the flour and Irish whiskey, and beat the dough until smooth. 

Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.  Drop cookie dough from a tablespoon onto the prepared cookie sheets.  Bake each sheet of cookies for 8-10 minutes.

Remove the cookies from the baking sheets with a spatula while still warm.  Place oin wire rack to partially cool.  Store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of white bread to maintain their soft, fruity texture.

http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/irish-whiskey-cookies-79245727-237359271.html#

Mending Maria