Barbara and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
First Lady Barbara and President George H. W. Bush
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Barbara Pierce Bush*
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President George H.W. Bush*
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Millie, Barbara and George H. W. Bush*
First Lady from 1989 - 1993
Quote from Barbara -
  • "Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way."
Factoids -
  • When her son, George W. Bush, was elected President in 2000, it made Barbara only the second woman to be both wife and mother of a U.S. President.
  • Barbara hosted a Sunday evening radio program called "Mrs. Bush's Story Time" with the help of celebrity guests.
Bio -
  • Barbara Pierce was born in New York.  She attended boarding school, where she met George H.W. Bush at a dance.  George and Barbara were engaged before George served in the Navy during World War II.  While George was serving, Barbara studied at Smith College, then married George at 19, when he returned.  Their marriage lasted 73 years!
  • George enrolled at Yale University and he and Barbara had six children. George's political career started with Ambassador to the U.N., then Chief Liaison Officer to China, and Director of the C.I.A.  Barbara took care of their children throughout the job changes and moves, never pursuing a career of her own.
  • When George became President, Barbara's mission as First Lady was to promote literacy for all.  She established the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, visiting schools and libraries all over the U.S. to promote the cause of literacy.  Barbara's other campaigns as First Lady included encouraging volunteerism and support of HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Barbara managed to win the hearts of America's public with heartfelt roles as wife, mother, and grandmother.  Her warm, welcoming, and caring attitude were much loved.
About George - George H. W. Bush was the 41st President.  He managed the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.  George led a successful coalition in the Gulf War against Iraq.  Despite foreign policy successes, he faced a recession and broke a key "no new taxes" promise. He lost re-election to Bill Clinton in 1992.
Barbara Bush, as a Texas mother and grandmother, was known for her cooking and recipes.  One of these recipes was for her famous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.  
Ingredients 
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (12 ounces) bag semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)
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Steps
  1. Heat oven to 350° F.   Prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper or leaving bare - do NOT grease.
  2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt onto waxed paper. Set aside.
  3. Beat together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
  4. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto un-greased cookie sheets.
  5. Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.
Portrait Credits*
Barbara Bush - The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; At the beach - Photo Credit:  George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
George HW Bush - David Valdez, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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