Date Loaf

1-3/4 C boiling water

1 pkg. chopped dates

1 heaping C nuts

2 t soda

1/4 C butter

2 C sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

3 C flour

Pour boiling water over dates, nuts and soda; let stand until cool. Cream together butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla. Sift flour; add to creamed mixture. Add date and nut mixture. Let stand for 15 minutes before baking. Bake at 300 to 325 degrees for about 1 hour. Yield 1 large or 2 small loaves.