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.