These fun fortune cookies are from the Wonder Forest blog.  Since the fortunes are personalized, you can tailor them for a significant other or for kids.  Click here to see step-by-step instructions.

The second DIY Valentine’s Day idea could not be simpler.  Found on Kristy Trammell Ramirez’s Pinterest board, this craft explains itself in just 4 pictures.  These hearts are especially great for kids and are the perfect way to recycle old broken crayons.

Some helpful tips:

• Place the tray molds on a cookie sheet to avoid wax spills in your oven
• Once cooled, you can throw the tray in the freezer to make popping out the shapes a breeze
• For a cool refrigerator decoration, just stick a magnet on the back.

Did you know?

Jimmy Carter -> Gourmet Peanuts

Carter grew up on a peanut farm and was a peanut farmer

Ronald Reagan -> Movie Popcorn Set

Reagan was an actor and his most notable films included Knute Rockne, All American, Kings Row, and Bedtime for Bonzo

William Howard Taft -> Bathtub Clock

Taft was the heaviest President at 332 pounds.  There is a story that he became stuck in the White House bathtub, and after which he had an oversized tub installed for his use.

Gerald Ford -> Michigan Wolverine Book

Ford played center and linebacker for the University of Michigan’s football team in the early 1930’s.

Teddy Roosevelt -> Bear Lantern

In 1902 on a hunting trip, Roosevelt famously ordered the mercy kill of a wounded black bear.  A toy maker was given permission by Roosevelt to use his name for his toy bear, creating the ‘Teddy Bear.’  Since then, bears and later bear cubs became associated with Roosevelt.

James Polk -> Camera

Polk is the earliest president to have surviving photographs taken during his term in office.

Harry S. Truman -> ‘S’ Monogrammed Blanket

Truman’s middle name is simply the letter ‘S.’ His parents chose the letter to please both of Harry’s grandfathers whose names each started with the letter ‘S.’

Ingredients

• 1 12-ounce bottle brown ale
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
• 1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely crushed thin pretzels
• Pour the beer into a glass; let sit until flat, about 1 hour.

Directions

Butter an 8-inch-square baking dish. Bring half of the beer to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook until reduced to 2 teaspoons, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining beer, the brown sugar, corn syrup, cream and butter in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 235 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the beer syrup and pretzels. Spread in the prepared dish and chill until firm, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cut into pieces.

Ingredients

Wings:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
• 3 pounds chicken wings, cut apart at joints, wing tips discarded

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot®), or to taste

Directions

- Combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, Italian dressing, and chicken wings in a large, zip-top bag. Close bag and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.

- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the 1 teaspoon soy sauce and the hot pepper sauce. Turn off heat and reserve.

- Remove the chicken wings from the marinade and pat dry. Cook the wings on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until the chicken is well browned and no longer pink, 25 to 30 minutes.

- Place grilled wings in a large bowl. Pour butter sauce over wings; toss to mix well.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (19 ounce) can black beans, with liquid
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
• 1 pinch ground cumin, or to taste
• 1 pinch chili powder, or to taste
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon, or to taste

Directions

Place turkey and bell pepper in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook until turkey is evenly brown. Mix in beans, tomatoes, and corn. Season with cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes. Add water if you want a more liquid chili.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 339 | Total Fat: 9.6g | Cholesterol: 84mg

Ingredients

• 2 cans of Hormel chili no beans
• 1 package of Velveeta mild Mexican cheese
• Doritos or Tostitos chips

Directions

Spray microwave safe dish with Pam.  Mix the chili and cheese together in the dish and cover.  Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring every couple minutes.  Serve with your choice of chips.

Picture reference: Hormel.com

Today we feature Buffalo Chicken Dip, courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Ranch dressing
• 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot®)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces
• 1 (8 ounce) box chicken-flavored crackers

Directions

Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 284 | Total Fat: 22.6g | Cholesterol: 54mg

Samantha launched her Twitter account this past Tuesday.  Here are a couple of her top Tweets:

LakesideBuyer Samantha
Start brightening up your #wardrobe for spring! Check out the seasons fresh colors, and their great names too! tinyurl.com/7ef9q4d

LakesideBuyer Samantha
Just came back from the photo studio. Shots are looking fantastic! Can’t wait for everyone to see these #styles!

Follow Samantha today at https://twitter.com/#!/LakesideBuyer or look her up @LakesideBuyer.  Do you have an idea or question for Samantha?  Feel free to Tweet her with your buyer comments/questions.  Or if you are looking for customer service support, you can Tweet Jodi at https://twitter.com/#!/jodilakeside or look up her handle @jodilakeside.

Don’t forget to tell your family and friends to enter daily for a chance at a $500 American Express gift card!  You can enter here: http://on.fb.me/rG0n2A