Old-fashioned buttermilk cake

1 cup buttermilk*
3 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups flour
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325. Pour buttermilk, vanilla and baking soda in a glass and set aside. Place shortening in a large bowl and cream until smooth. Add sugar slowly and continue to cream until mixture is fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat after each addition. When mixture is fluffy, stir in buttermilk mixture and gradually add flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir well after each addition. Fold in nuts. Pour into sprayed, floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake for about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serves 12 to 16.

*To make buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let milk stand for about 10 minutes.