Quick& easy apricot bread

4      cups          sifted flour
   2      Tablespoons   baking soda
   1      pound         dried apricots -- cut in small pieces
   2      cups          water
   2      cups          sugar
     3/4  cup           shortening
   1      teaspoon      ground cinnamon
   1      teaspoon      ground cloves
     1/2  teaspoon      ground nutmeg
   1      teaspoon      salt
   2                    eggs -- beaten

Sift flour with baking soda; set aside.  Cook apricots with water, sugar,
shortening, spices and salt for 5 minutes.  Cool apricot mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Add eggs to sifted dry ingredients to cooled
apricot mixture.  Pour mixture into 2 greased 5x9 inch loaf pans.  Bake in
oven for 1hour.  Makes 2 loaves.