Date Nut Bread

Combine:
2 cups cut up dates
2 cups boiling water
2 tsp soda
Let sit until ready to add with the following-


1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ tsp salt 
2 tbsp Crisco or oleo
2 eggs (beaten)
1 cup nutmeats
3 cups flour
¾ tsp baking powder (optional)


Mix two mixtures together, bake an hour at 300°