Mrs. Myers' Banana Bread

sugar1 cup butter, softened3 cups sifted flour (I never sift)1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. table salt5 eggs (I use 4)2 tsp. vanilla extract1 cup nuts (I never add nuts)1/2 cup buttermilk1 quart mashed bananas, about 8 (ripe to overripe)