Change...

This time of year makes me think a lot about change. I love falltime. I love watching the colors change. I was home sick last week and found myself staring out the window. I had a nice view of one of my trees from the couch. I posted it on instagram,here it is again:

So pretty. Thing is, I probably wouldn't have noticed it hadn't I been sick and laying on the couch all day. I'm glad I caught that picture and was able to really enjoy the beauty around me that day.

I've been thinking about positive change in my life a lot lately (mostly because of Nerium). I saw this quote at a gift shop a few weeks back and snapped a picture of it. I decided to turn it into a fun printable for you. Haven't done one in awhile, so I think it was due. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you find it striking and true, just as I did.

 

Click HERE for your Free Printable.

Just think...if we all had more positive thoughts, what a better place our world would be.

Thanks for stopping by. Please share this post with your friends.

 

Fall Into Cash Giveaway! $750 CASH!!

I'm so excited to participating in another awesome giveaway!

I'm certain all of us could use a little extra cash with the Holidays quickly approaching! Be sure to enter and tell your friends to come back here to enter, too!

 

 

 

Welcome to the $750 Fall Into Cash Giveaway!

We've joined forces with a great group of bloggers to bring you this fabulous giveaway.

One lucky person will win $500 cash and five others will win $50 cash!

---

Enter to win $500 or $50 cash via PayPal.

Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway.

Refer your friends using your unique link to earn even more chances to win.

Open Worldwide.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on October 27th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway was coordinated by Giveaway Promote.

If you're a blogger and would like to participate in a future giveaway event like this one, sign up for Giveaway Promote's weekly giveaway events newsletter.

 

 

Fall Bucket List--Free Printable

I'm bound and determined to make it start feeling like Fall!! Geez...we couldn't get summer during the actual summer months, but lately, it's been HOT! I did a Summer Fun List earlier this year, you can see it here. Surprisingly, with our 2 week trip to Europe, we still managed to get most of these checked off! (have you caught the recap posts of our trip? You can find them here, here and here.)

After writing an article for Familycorner.com, I decided to make a Fall Bucket List. You can read about that post here. (ps: they are looking for more contributors, so shoot me an email if you are interested!)

Let's see if we can tackle all of these before the leaves all blow away and the snow starts falling (ugh, I don't like the sound of that already!!)

Want this as a FREE printable? Click on the photo to save as and print or click here to grab it off of Google Drive.

What is one item on your FALL BUCKET LIST?

 

All Things Fall! A Round-up of 24 Fall Decorating Ideas!

Can you feel it in the air yet?

Has fall arrived where you live?

Our weather in Illinois isn't reflecting the fall at all--with plenty of days in the high 80s yet, we've only had a few crisp mornings and cool nights!

Nevertheless, it's time to get your home ready for fall, even if the weather trails behind.

Here's a bit of inspiration for you. I've collected these ideas from some blogger pals. Click on their picture to go directly to their blog to learn how to make the project or to PIN it for later!

Wow, if you aren't inspired to decorate for fall after these pictures, I'm not sure you will ever be.

If you stop over and visit any of the blogs that are showcased here, please let them know where you are visiting from!

Be sure to PIN this for later! And make sure you are following me on Pinterest, too!

Fall Fitness Challenge with JessicaSmithtv.com and a GIVEAWAY!

Hello! Hey--have you entered into my Back to School Giveaway yet?

Hurry up!! Giveaway ends soon for your chance to win $500!!

CLICK HERE!

I've done a few fitness challenges in the past that have been a big hit!
Like my AWESOME ARMS CHALLENGE or my AB CHALLENGE.

But, for the next fitness challenge, I wanted to partner up with someone I work out with occassionally...Jessica Smith. She has an awesome blog and YouTube Channel. She offers a ton of FREE workout videos (not to mention great motivation)! Next month, she is doing a Fall Fitness Challenge and offering some prizes!

What I love about Jessica's video's is that they can be done with little or no equipment and accomplished in a small area, plus--they are not difficult (choregraphy-wise), but they are a little challenging (she shows you ways to increase or decrease the difficulty). And, her dog Peanut (adorbs!) joins her in most (if not all) of her videos.
 
So, are you ready to join me? It's 20 days. It's FREE. She's provides the workouts for you. It's less than 30 minutes every day. Not convinced yet?

Here, watch her video (that's Peanut!):



To join the challenge:

1. Go to Jessicasmithtv.com and Follow her blog.
2. Next, subscribe to her YouTube Channel. You will have to check it there every day for a chance at the prizes.
3. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. (optional, but recommended!)
4. Leave me a comment to let me know you are doing the challenge!

We've got this! We will gain more energy and feel better. There is nothing to lose! I look forward to working out with you! C'mon...it starts next Monday!

Hey! Are you following Crazylou on Facebook or Twitter? Come on over--sometimes I do special things just for my fans on social media! Don't miss out!

 

Fall Fun! Orchard Visit!

We are blessed to live in the Midwest. We get to enjoy all four seasons. Fall is my favorite. Not only do we get warm days and cool nights or because we get to see the trees changing colors, but because our local Apple Orchard opens up! My husband and I both worked at the orchard during high school, so its close to our heart. Its a local attraction. Super busy on the weekends, so locals know to visit during the week. Our family enjoys visiting the orchard a few times a season. Their donuts are the best (when eaten while still warm of course!) especially with their cider which is pressed right on sight! Its a fun place to go (eat) with the kids. They have a animal barn with turkeys, cow, pigs, and goats. They have a maze and a little playground area for the kids to run around and play in. You can take a horse drawn wagon ride out into the orchard for a tour and usually you can go out and pick your own apples too. (this year the apple crop wasn't at its prime so they didn't open up pick-your-own) In the barn there are plenty of gifts and food items, along with fresh apple cider donuts, fresh apple cider and apples. If you are ever in the area, you must visit Edwards Apple Orchard. They are a sweet family with good ole country values. Here's a snap shot of our recent visit.

What are your family fall traditions? Do you go to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch? Share with me!
And since we are sharing, come visit me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram @crazyloucreations.

Thanks for reading!

Cindy

$3 Fall Yarn Wreath

For those of you that follow me on Facebook, you saw this wreath before. I was trying to decide if I needed to add more to it. 

And, I took your advice. Here is the end result:

Here is what it took to make this cute little wreath:
1 foam wreath form--Target Dollar Section
1 Sunflower Stem--Target Dollar Section
1 Fall Berry Spray--Target Dollar Section
Coordinating Yarn--already had in my craft closet (if it wasn't in my craft closet, it would probably be a $6 wreath, because yarn runs about $2-3 at Michael's or JoAnn's)

Now, it took maybe a half hour to put this altogether. Start by hot gluing the end piece of the yarn to the wreath form. Start wrapping the yarn around the wreath, scrunching it up as you go. When it is completely covered, tie a knot and hot glue it. Add the flower and spray with hot glue and that's it! Super simple, super cute and perfect on my mantle mirror for the fall season!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy 
Linked up:
Bloom Designs 

Sweet & Salty Falltime Mix

Fall is my favorite time of year! You get to pull out your comfy sweaters, go to the apple orchard, carve pumpkins and watch the scenery change. I remember making "leaf houses" when I was a kid! Too bad we don't have a lot of full grown trees yet for my kids to do the same!
Fall is also a great time to snack! I mean there are football games, bonfires, etc...and I've got the perfect go-to falltime snack! It's quick and easy to put together and is ALWAYS a hit!
Take dry roasted peanuts, m-n-m's, candy corn and Bugles and mix them together. That's it! Put in as much of each as you'd like--or add in some of your other favorite things--like raisins, dried cranberries or pretzels.
I put this little baggie together for the kids to give to their teachers today! I got the tags from here and printed them off, cut them in a circle, punched a hole and tied it up with bakers twine.

What's your favorite falltime snack?

Cindy 
Wonderful Food Wednesday at @ Home Take 2.
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple.
Linky Party, Pity Party #106 at Thirty Handmade Days.
Strut Your Stuff at Six Sisters' Stuff. 

All things Fall

Well, since Fall is here, I thought I'd create a little subway art to share with you. Just right click on the picture and choose the option to print. Or, leave me your email address and I will send you the file.

Happy Fall Y'all!

fall subway art by crazylou

Cindy

This post was linked up with Hookin Up with HoH #116.
And also at Bloom Designs Link Party.
Strutin' My Stuff at Six Sisters' Stuff.