Company's coming!!

Here is what I do when company is coming, I do a load of prep in advance . Normally I do not bake very often, but yestserday I made ginger snap cookies, chocolate chip cookies, fig and date loaf and cranberry and raisin scones . Placed then all in zip lock bags to maintain freshness and now they are all ready for our guests when they are. Also I made a large batch of pea souop( with salt beef , have to have it) and turkey soup.

Fig and date loaf
Ingredients
1 cup dates , pitted and chopped
1 cup figs, dried and chopped
*If figs are not available to you
1/4 cup butter , at room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup walnuts chopped
2 eggs
1 1\2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
How to make it
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Lightly grease an 8 x 4 inch loaf dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the dates, figs, butter and baking soda.
Pour in the boiling water, stir well and let stand for 15 minutes.
Beat the sugar, walnuts and eggs into the date mixture.
Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
Stir into date mixture until just blended.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.


Homemde scones and gingersnap cookies .

Here is my pea soup, I use salt meat and also you will see the tip of a huge ham hock. I also add cabbage to mine as well, it adds a great flavor to the soup.