Apple Bran Muffins

½ tsp baking soda. 4 tsp baking soda. 2 tbs. shortening. ½ tsp salt. 4 cups boiling water. 2 cups chopped dates. 2 cups chopped nuts. 2 tsp vanilla Pour 4 cups boiling water over dates and boil for 3 minutes. Cream shortening, sugar and eggs together, sift dry ingredients. Add nuts to flour mixture. Alternate date mix with dry mix, add vanilla. ................
................