Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup dates
1 cup pecans
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions
Cream the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs. Take half of the flour and combine with the spices. Cut the nuts and dates into fine pieces and dredge with the remaining flour.

Heat the buttermilk to lukewarm then dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Add this mixture alternately with the flour and spices mixture to the butter mixture. Beat well and when the batter is light and fluffy add the nuts, dates and vanilla. Line a deep pan (such as a loaf pan) with waxed paper, then pour in the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.