Holiday Orange Slice Cake

This is an old family recipe that we always had around Holiday time. As a child, I really liked this cake. It is similar to a fruitcake, although this one actually tastes good, and there are no green bits to pick out!

2 cups chopped dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3-1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts(pecans, walnuts)
1 cup chopped orange slice candy(like sugared gummy bears only shaped like orange slices)

Combine baking soda, boiling water and chopped dates, and let stand. Cream the butter and sugar, then add eggs. Add the date mixture. Beat well. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Beat, then add nuts. Add the chopped orange candies, mix carefully. Bake in 2 greased loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Wrap in foil to keep fresh or deliver to a friend.