Tag Archives: Kids

All I Want For Christmas is… Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck!!!

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Check out this adorable Christmasy video of my children’s travel and adventure picture book!

It should be under your Christmas tree 🎄 for the special children in your life!

Put the pedal to the metal and purchase this perfect Christmas gift today!

Order here 👉🎁:

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Celebrate #SpecialEducationDay Today— and Everyday

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Today is National Special Education Day! This day is near and dear to my heart after spending over a decade of my life supporting individuals (children and adults) with disabilities.

I was honored to compose an article on its importance for Partnership for Children of Cumberland County.

Read my article below on the importance of celebrating National Special Education Day!

https://ccpfc.org/news/2019/11/celebrate-national-specialeducationday-dec-2-2019/

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

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-Huntersville, North Carolina 👑

#CarolinaRenFest

My lady family and I attended the Carolina Renaissance Festival last weekend in support of my cousin Ivy Mackinson— a talented thespian in the Charlotte area, who is a performer with the annual festival.

When I was told we would be attending, I had no clue of the festival’s magnitude and the thousands of Renaissance enthusiasts who would be attending— as well as the caliber of highly talented performers.

I was completely shocked to find an entire Renaissance themed village set in a Sherwood-ish Forest 🌳 off a country road on the outskirts of Charlotte in Huntersville, NC.

I was impressed to say the least!

And could not believe I’d never heard of this magical place prior.

From the adorable structures to the amazing musicians, comedic jesters and more, it is surely a sight to behold and a real crowd pleaser! There is plenty of yummy food for all tastes as well.

Today is the last day of festivities for the season which runs each fall weekend from October through November.

If you’ve no plans today, put this place on your agenda!

Cook up your best Maid Marian or Robinhood costume, and spend the day in a lovely outdoor venue!

Ride a camel! 🤗

Hug a pirate! 🏴‍☠️

Dance with a darling mime!

It’s perfect for children and families with tons of attractions and performances to hold the attention of young tots.

And anyone who enjoys lovely nature, Knights jousting while riding horseback, fun shopping as well as a pint of cider or ale.

If interested in attending, look 👀 here👉 https://www.carolina.renfestinfo.com/

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Tiffany Haywood: MilSpouse 🇺🇸, Mother, Award-Winning Blogger, Writer, Radio/TV/YouTube Personality, Business Consultant

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Photo courtesy of Tiffany Haywood

Fayetteville, NC-

I was honored to speak with Tiffany Haywood— a military spouse 🇺🇸, mom to six children, award-winning blogger (The Mrs. Tee Blog https://themrstee.com/), radio host (What’s Going On Fayetteville), YouTuber (https://www.youtube.com/user/TeeLoveLifeLaughter/), technology and social media guru, and business consultant http://tiffanyhaywood.com/.

Tiffany is a wealth of knowledge and talents. I’m not sure how she does it all, but she does it well.

When asked how she keeps her focus, without hesitation she said, “prayer 🙏🏻 and coffee ☕️!”

Me too, lady.

Me too!

Enjoy our podcast interview here👇👂:

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Tiffany-Haywood–Award-Winning-Blogger–RadioTV-Personality–Tech-Guru–Business-Consultant-e8t20h

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Haywood

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck Celebrates First Birthday 🎂

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November, 9, 2019-

One year ago today, Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck hit the presses!

What was a little dream, became a huge accomplishment.

Over the past year, there have been many firsts… holding my published children’s book in my hands for the first time, attending my first bookstore author events, first library events, visiting elementary schools as an official author for the first time, reading my book to children across North Carolina, and the list goes on.

The opportunity to share my children’s travel and adventure picture book has been a priceless gift to me.

I’ve driven all types of new terrain with Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck, and feel like we’ve barely hit the surface.

I am ecstatic to see what adventures lie ahead in 2020.

I would like to thank each bookstore, library, school, media outlet, and other venues for welcoming me with open arms.

To my friends and family, thanks for the amazing encouragement and support.

To my little monster truck fans, thank you for reading my book!

To everyone else that helped me find my way as a new author, who gave me advice, connected me with resources, helped spread the word… thank you.

The greatest lesson I learned this year is this— when you have a dream, follow it.

Make it happen.

Put your truck in gear and…

DRIVE TOWARD YOUR DREAMS!

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Award-Winning Author Donna Sager Cowan Debuts New Book

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Award-winning Children’s Book Author Donna Sager Cowan

California-based children’s book author, Donna Sager Cowan, debuts book two in her award-winning Superhero School Series.

Official Donna Sager Cowan Website: https://donnasagercowan.com/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JYNJKGW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

With the Curiosity of a Cat hits the presses next week and is sure to be a middle-grades juvenile fiction fan favorite mirroring the success of the first book in the series, With the Courage of a Mouse.

Preorder With the Curiosity of a Cat on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08136QG26?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Donna has been writing most of her life— following teaching herself to read at age five as she was the youngest of a large family, and read books and created her own tales to occupy her creative mind.

She attributes her inspiration and character development for the book series to her six grandchildren. She encourages aspiring authors to give themselves “permission” to go after their dreams of publication as she has successfully and gracefully accomplished.

She is the recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards- Gold Award: Honoring Excellence, and was a top ten finalist in the Author Academy Awards.

Follow the official Donna Sager Cowan, Author Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/donnasagercowanauthor/

I had the honor of speaking with Donna on my podcast recently to discuss the release of her new book, her wisdom on finding your inner superhero, and her insights into striving toward your writing goals.

Listen to our conversation here 👂👇🌟:https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Donna-Sager-Cowan-Award-Winning-Childrens-Author-Debuts-Book-e8rjsp

-Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Ghost Tales of North Carolina

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North Carolina is filled with ghost stories stemming from the shores of the Graveyard of the Atlantic down to the southern coast in Wilmington, up the Cape Fear River to the Sandhills in Fayetteville, and westward to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I’ve loved hearing these tales my whole life and have a collection of classic North Carolina ghost stories and legends books I cherish.

My love of ghost tales started as a child while listening to old folks, cousins and friends whittle yarns of things that go bump in the night.

I’m not much on horror films and gore, but I love a good old ghost story. So I decided today on Halloween 🎃, I would tell you all a few of my favorite ghost stories.

Listen 👂 Here 👇👻:

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Ghost-Tales-of-North-Carolina-e6abiq

Cool Spring Tavern, Fayetteville, NC known for its ghosts

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fayobserver.com/news/20191023/8-famously-haunted-spots-around-fayetteville-region%3ftemplate=ampart

Ghost Story Hayride by the Market House, Hay Street, Historic Downtown Fayetteville, NC

Sanford House Ghosts- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pWT9s-mVaIw

Ghosts of Old Wilmington https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/about/news-blogs/post/ghosts-of-old-wilmington-one-of-the-most-haunted-cities-in-the-south/

https://visitncsmokies.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-boojum/

-Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.