Apees and James Buchanan

These cookies are called Apees, named after Ann Page, who was a famous cook from Philadelphia. These cookies were one of James Buchanan's favorites as a boy.

My first thought of this recipe is that I thought it was strange because they don't have any eggs in them, and I typically think of cookies as requiring eggs.

I decided not to use the mixer for these because they were so easy.

You first mix all of the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt). Then you add softened butter to this and mix well. Then you add milk and vanilla to the mixture and form the dough into balls which you flatten on the cookie sheet. Easy!

The funny thing is that Blake said that these were his favorites... but he has said that about every consecutive cookie so far! He says because they are becoming more modern and thus more sweet, and he has a point. I enjoy these as well... but I think I enjoy the lemon ones better. Not sure...

I am definitely gaining confidence as I bake, and I have less fears of failing as I continue to make great tasting recipes.

James Buchanan

One big claim to fame about this president is that he was the only president who never married.

He was the only Secretary of State to become president later in life.

Part of the wikipedia article on him says that he is frequently listed by historians as one of the worst presidents for how he handled the crisis preceding the Civil War. Although, to be fair, it should be stated that he didn't want to run for President, and one of the few reasons he was nominated in the first place was because he was out of the country when a big dispute was going on, so he couldn't be accused of being on either side. He was on the side of owning slaves though... and received a lot of criticism for it.

He even vetoed a bill for more colleges, because he believed there were already enough educated people.

I have to say that from what I got just browsing his wikipedia page... that I am not a big fan myself. I do somewhat feel bad for him because there were a lot of issues going on while he was president, but he seemed to make matters worse every time.

I hope to find a few quotes of his that I like... but so far its not looking good.

... After reading 5-6 different quote websites I found that 1- he doesn't have many quotes at all and 2- I don't really like what he has to say in his quotes. Many of them seem to be making excuses for his behavior, like he knows its bad... but doesn't really care.... like: "What is right and what is practicable are two different things," and "Whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the consciousness that I at least meant well for my country."

So... good cookies...Eh on the President. At least I can be happy that he meant well.