Coarsely chop the walnuts. Stir together 1/4 cup of the sugar and spices; melt butter and toss with the walnuts and sugar mixture; set aside. Sift flour with baking powder, soda and salt. Cream together the shortening and remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Beat in eggs. Blend in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Set aside 1/4 cup of the spiced walnuts for top of loaf. Stir remainder into batter and turn into a well-greased 9-by-5-by-3 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle remaining walnuts over top. Bake below oven center at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool. Makes one large loaf, but will also make two smaller loaves that are easier to handle. . . . Line pans with parchment cooking paper (Reynolds) to avoid sticking. . . . Two pans should be checked at about 40 minutes to see if bread is done in center. . .I use an ice pick to test it. . .if the ice pick comes out "clean," bread is done.