Mother's Matrimonial Squares

 From Mother's recipe box

1 1/3 cups flour

1 3/4 cups oats

1/4 tsp soda

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup butter

Filling;

1 lb pitted, chopped dates

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 tbsp lemon juice

Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter until crumbly.  Press half into a square pan.

Simmer filling ingredients together until the date are soft, mash with a fork.  Let it cool.

Spread date mixture on oat mixture.  Then scatter the remaining oat mixture on top of dates.

Bake @ 375F for 45 min