In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Add soda and water mixture and mix. In another bowl sift flour and spices together, gradually add to creamed mixture stirring well. Add dates and stir well. Add pecans and stir well. Drop by teaspoon full onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400? until brown. Makes a lot. This is Aunt Audrey's yearly Christmas gift to our family and we just love her dearly for it. Thanks Aunt Audrey.