**As Requested**

Cherry Almond Chews

*1 cup shortening (i use real butter)
*1 cup sugar
*1 cup brown sugar, packed
*2 eggs
*3/4 tsp. almond extract
*2 1/2 cups flour
*1 tsp. baking soda
*1 tsp. salt
*2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
*3/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans, optional
(if I put these in they wouldn't be my honey's favorite cookie)
* 1 jar (16 oz) maraschino cherries, drained and halved

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in extract. Combine flour, soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in coconut and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheet. Place a cherry half in center of each. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes (mine only take 10-11 min) or until lightly browned. Yield: about 7 dozen (ya right! how tiny do they make those things, anyway?!)

*I didn't have quite enough coconut, so mine flattened out pretty badly. Yours will look much cuter!