Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add the milk and eggs, stirring well. Set aside 1/4 cup of the flour. Sift the rest with baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle on the grated orange rind. Stir into the butter mixture until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix together the currants, raisins, dates and nuts. Toss together with 1/4 cup of flour. Fold into the batter.
Drop onto cookie sheets and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, until slightly golden. Let cool on rack.
I disagree with the first reviewer...this is one of our Christmas tradition cookies and is a favorite to all who try it!
The only change I have made to the recipe here is that I omit the oran...