Friday Festivities with Singer, Songwriter, Producer M.O.M Extraordinaire, Louise goffin

‘Tis the season to sing of joy and family.... meet Louise Goffin, a true M.O.M {master of multitasking} building a career as a multi- instrumentalist, singer, composer, lyricist, and producer.

Louise Lynn Goffin has lived and breathed music since the day she was born. With a level of excellence in the work her family does, a bar set high by her parents work.

According to Goffin, “Singing is like breathing. Songwriting a spiritual, emotional necessity and it keeps her young. However, producing is brand new to her but she didn’t let that hold her back from producing her mom (Carole King’s) first ever holiday album, ‘A Holiday Carole.’

According to Amazon, Goffin created excellent arrangements and co-wrote three tracks on the album. The mother-daughter duo {Goffin-King} is in the running for best holiday album against pop star Justin Bieber.

Let’s Hear What The Inspiring M.O.M has to say!

M.O.M Katie ~ You’ve had a lot of inspiration growing up to live your dream, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned or have followed building your career?

M.O.M Lousie ~ That other people don't make you who you are. I used to think that I needed a record deal to be an artist, a recording studio to be making a record, a wedding to be in love. It takes more self-belief when the outside props aren't there, and especially for moms who are one minute subservient to the needs of others, and the next exhausted and having to recharge their battery. Over the years I've met people who seem to have the outside affirmation, and yet are more fearful than the people who don't because they've not yet found out they are still who they are with or without kudos from a crowd. Children are the least likely audience to say "yay, job well done!" I have to do it for myself to keep building on my vision.

M.O.M Katie ~ Can you tell us what inspired your to produce you’re Mom’s Album and choosing a Holiday Album?

M.O.M Louise ~ I've always loved being in the recording studio, and making records. By the time she and her (then) manager, Lorna Guess, asked me to produce this holiday record, I'd already recorded five entire albums of my own as a recording artist. I knew a lot about the process of putting an album together. I had some recent losses in my life at the time, and it was the perfect uplifting theme for me to throw myself back into work after primarily focusing on raising my two boys, who are still in elementary school. It did a lot for my confidence to apply my multi-tasking skills at home to an array of musicians, songs, supporting my mother, Carole, in feeling comfortable back in the studio, and listening to my radar as to whether each song was presented in its best form for her to sing over.

What is your favorite song? Having just performed "Christmas In The Air" in Rockefeller Center for the tree lighting, the song being a hat tipper to the Jackson Five arrangements (and being about New York, and EVERYDAY being a gift I get to open up) that's now one of my favorites. I treat all songs on an album as a mother would her own children - every one is special in his/her own unique way. They each have their own calling. This is a great record to give friends and family as a gift as it is so chock-full of great uplifting cuts you wouldn't usually hear on a Christmas record.

M.O.M Katie ~ What can we expect from you in 2012 (as I’m sure you are not ‘laying low’)?

M.O.M Louise~ I hope to lay low between Dec 25th and Jan 1st. Other than that, I plan to write, record and produce new artists. And any ones that have been around for awhile who want to come see me, I'll send some mojo and enthusiasm their way. That's one of my strong suits. Enthusiasm, play, creativity, and empathy for one's artistic nature.

The organizing of the players and recording part is much easier than capturing the lightening bolt of desire and believing it can be done. I'm there to be the believer for the artist and keep excitement and enthusiasm up for making dreams come true.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and this amazing new Album for the Holidays!




Here is where to buy Louise and Carole’s ‘ A Holiday Carole’ Album:

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Carole-King/dp/B005DJ62M8




Follow Louise Socially Here:
https://www.facebook.com/louisegoffinmusic
http://louisegoffin.com
http://twitter.com/LouiseGoffin
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'Tis The Season To Get Involved ~ Balloon Send Off To Support Canines For Disabled Kids

At MyOwnPet Balloons, we understand the bond between child and pet. Loyalty, friendship and fun create a special connection comparable to few other things. This meaningful interaction helped inspire this MyOwnPet balloon line, allowing children to simulate that experience (using a little imagination!) with any animal, whether penguin, pig or pony.

Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK) is a non-profit organization connecting children with disabilities to canine-assistance programs and resources. The CDK mission is twofold, first, to help families with disabled children obtain service dogs through education, financial aid and advocacy and second, to make families aware that these resources even exist.

There are approximately 52 million Americans with disabilities in the United States and about one percent use service dogs. With a higher demand than supply, canine assistance programs often impose disability or age-specific requirements along with waiting periods of up to 10 years. Children with disabilities under the age of 12 are often the ones denied training assistance dogs.


Seeing the challenge, Canines for Disabled Kids began to bring awareness to families with special need children, encouraging the placement of assistance dogs with these children. Since 1998, CDK has sponsored over 130 assistance dogs and provided services to more than 15,000 individuals.

Canines for Disabled Kids is helping children with disabilities gain independence and participate more fully in society. We want to bring this program to the thousands of families who are unaware that help is out there.

How we’re helping:

For every MyOwnPet balloon purchased here, $5 will go directly to help Canines for Disabled Kids.

How you can help:

Visit http://www.caninesfordkids.org/ for additional details

Donate directly to Canines for Disabled Kids here

Spread the word! And get involved along with friends and family


Follow Socially too:
myownpetballoon.com

facebook.com/MyOwnPetBalloons
twitter.com/My_Pet_Balloons 
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Inc. Shares The 19 Blogs All of Us M.O.Ms Should Know

As 'Preneurs {whether you are a mom, dad, man, woman, kid, etc...} Inc. is one resource you should know, follow, read, and become familiar with.  They give the best advice and also direct you to even better outlets and avenues.


Here they are, at it again....


Inc. scoured the Internet, social media, and of course asked the smartest people they knew to help come up with a list of bloggers who, if you pay attention, can help reshape your perspective.

19 Blogs You Should Bookmark Right Now

This list is comprised of the smartest business bloggers. Some we would have expected to be on this list but some are new to us and so glad to have been introduced! Inc. is correct, go follow because their advice just might help you run a better company.

Here's what and who they found {read more}



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Veteran's Day 11.11.11 ~ Honoring ALL Those Who Serve(d)


Today is Veterans Day — scheduled on the 11th day of the 11th month to honor members of the military for their service and sacrifice. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they have made in their lives to keep our country free.

Today, we honor ALL American Veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country.

It is also very easy to find out what you can do to celebrate and give THANKS to our Veterans today.  Just 'Google' Veteran's Day Events in your town or where you are working and take a break to go celebrate ALL American Veterans!



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Taste it Thursday with a Fall Must: Hot and Cheesy Chicken Casserole from Better Homes & Gardens

With the chill in the air and comfort foods are craved this is sure to please the whole family. Thanks to BHG's delicious recipe selections, we can make a family friendly fall classic that is a crowd pleaser!


Hot and Cheesy Chicken Casserole

 What You'll Need:


3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 14 ounce packagefrozen broccoli florets
2 cups cooked rice* 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
1 10 3/4ounce cancondensed cream of chicken soup
1 10 3/4ounce cancondensed fiesta nacho cheese soup
1 10 - 10 1/2ounce candiced tomatoes and green chilies
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 oz.)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz.)
1 cup crushed rich round crackers

Directions on getting started {click HERE}
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A Sweet Way to Make Everyone Smile: Halloween Candy Buy Back Program!

Happy Halloween!  I think we have already had our share of candy this weekend.  Here in the North East (aka NJ) we got hit with a Nor'easter ALREADY!  So, candy to the rescue when being snowed in.  Whether you've had your share of candy or not yet, this is a GREAT way to make use of that extra candy or too much that enters after 'trick-or-treating'.

http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/


How does the program work?


Participating dentists "buy" back kids' Halloween candy at a scheduled event

"Buy" with cash, coupons, toothbrushes, creative exchanges - They can partner with local businesses to give away coupons for food, services, goods, etc. They can give away the Hygiene Kits, they can set up an Opportunity Prize--each kid gets a ticket per pound of candy for an opportunity drawing to win special prizes, etc.

Dentists send the candy to Operation Gratitude or other Military support groups

Operation Gratitude sends the candy to U.S. Military deployed in harm's way

Operation Gratitude will be sending 60,000 care packages (including our Milestone Package in December) and they need tons of candy, literally, to fill them! Last year, they received and shipped 125 TONS!

We hope you will participate in this worthwhile and fun activity!

Got to the Website and plug in your zip to see which participating local dentist's and offices are hosting an event to collect.  It's that easy!

A Sweet Way to Make Everyone Smile:
The Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program!
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{celebrity news} Skylanders Halloween Gaming Fun with Brooke Burke and Family


Not only on Halloween can you bring an action figure to life, but Skylanders are special action figures that come to life in your home or at your friends' home on any day! Just take a Skylander, place it on the Portal of Power and BOOM! the Skylander will come to life in the video game. There are over 30 Skylanders - each with unique abilities and powers.

With a unique way to bring characters to life,Brooke Burke rallied the troops to take a Halloween weekend adventure with Skylanders. A true M.O.M in our book (even if you dont follow her socially on twitter to see all the mastering ) what Brooke Burke manages during a single day is more than you can imagine. Here is a recap of Brooke as M.O.M:  wife, mother of 4, Co-CEO of Modern Mom, co-Host on Dancing With The Stars , president of Babooshbaby.com, and author of The Naked Mom.

This weekend in Los Angeles there were all sorts of Halloween celebrations. As we mentioned, Brooke Burke and her adorable brood of husband David Charvet and kids Neriah, Rain, and Shaya celebrated Halloween at the festive Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure event.

Held at The Grove, the Burke-Charvet kids showed their Skylanders spirit by sporting Gil Grunt and Spyro tee shirts, as well as glittering temporary tattoos of the characters.

Brooke and her kids had lots of fun playing at the Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure gaming stations – already at the top of her kids’ holiday wish list – and their faces lit up when they were able to bring the toys to life!

After Halloween today, most of us M.O.Ms think about the holiday wish lists for our kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews... so keep in mind bringing your action figures to life every day with Skylanders for the holidays not just on Halloween!

Do we dare say Trick? or Treat? ~ I think it's safe to say Holiday Treat with Skylanders!




You can follow M.O.M Brooke Burke Socially as well:
Twitter: BrookeBurke
Facebook: Brooke Burke

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Take a Halloween Sweet Break on this Taste it Thursday!

How adorable are these????  It's Halloween and Fall Party Time, so get in the spirit and be the talk of the party with these adorable and tasty treats!

Take some pointers from The Party Animal and Make Jack O Lantern Cupcakes using Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves


Here's What You'll Need


Cupcakes of Course – Any flavor would work, she used Vanilla.
White or Vanilla Frosting
Orange Sugar Sprinkles
Roundabouts Jack O Lantern Cupcake Sleeves
Pretzel Rods
Green Gumdrops




Enjoy and Happy Partying!
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