4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. lard
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. buttermilk
1 c. pecan pieces
2 c. maraschino cherries
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl stir together flour, soda and salt. Set aside. In large mixer bowl cream sugar, lard, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately. Beat just until blended after each addition. Fold in nuts and cherries. Turn batter into 2 lightly greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans. Bake 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool. If desired, glaze with powdered sugar.