SWEET YELLOW CORNBREAD

Meet Emily Weaver - Cake by Emily

I can't say enough good things about this adorable lady.   I was spending time on my Instagram engaging when I saw this stunning cake done in my favorite pattern of Toile.  I love anything Toile, especially if it is in blue and white.  

What impressed me the most was the detail of artistry.   I couldn't believe it was a cake!  This cake was so beautiful I wouldn't want to eat it.  I clicked on the profile and saw Cake By Emily.  I realized that she was located in my home town of Little Rock.   I messaged her via Instagram Direct and gave her my email address so that I could meet and hear her story.

I was so glad that I got the chance to meet this adorable lady.  I was going to feature her as part of a series for Home Business Spotlight but when I arrived and saw the cutest little blonde boy (Gaylen) meeting me at the door with his dog, I knew that she would have to also be my next Modern Mom.  I went inside and there was also her three year old son (Wayne) playing quietly on his game in the living room, so focused he didn't even look up to see the dog barking, the brother talking and a stranger in his house.    I bet he will be taking after his father when he is older.  Emily's husband (KIP) is in his Residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

If having two boys ages three and two doesn't keep you busy enough, she has a beautiful 8-month old girl named Hudson as well.  I didn't get to see Hudson on this visit, she was upstairs napping.  I am impressed that she can juggle these three little angels and focus on such detail work.

Emily graduated from Sanford University in Memphis with an Art Degree.  She has been trained in Fine Art.  "I am unofficially trained in baking by my mother" Emily states.  She has picked up the love of baking and putting her amazing art talent to work by the artistry she puts into the design.  She offers custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes.  

Emily now 27, has been married to her high school sweetheart for five years.   This beautiful mom represents what Modern Moms are about.   She spends time raising these adorable children and helping out with the budget by putting her talent to use.  

Be sure and check out the Cake By Emily website for details and to custom order your next cookies, cupcakes or one of those stunning cakes.   She offers cakes in all sizes and for all occasions including weddings.  

Great job Emily!

xo xo - Pat

Those who know me know that I am a tea fanatic!   I would rather have a good glass of tea than the best steak money can buy.   I tend to frequent my favorite tea places often!  Often meaning sometimes daily or I have been known to go twice daily!   If you follow me on Instagram you will see a photo of my tea glass from Newk's often.

What better way to celebrate National Tea Month is spotlighting some of the best folks that I know that are hospitable, courteous and genuinely care about folks.

My favorite place to get ice tea isNewk's Eatery at 314 S University Ave in Little Rock @ Midtown.  There tea is always fresh, never sour and is the perfect blend.   The cups are large enough that when I take it back to work with me it isn't gone in five minutes!

I often pop my head through the back entrance daily to get just my tea.   It is worth the 15 minute drive at lunch just for this tea!   That's 15 minutes each way with traffic.   The employees there are some of the most friendliest group of people I have met.   They don't care that I am just coming for tea.  These guys treat me as if I just ordered food for 100.  In fact, they wave and say "You here for your tea"?

I wanted to spotlight three of the guys who stand out and speak the most. I sat down with these three guys to get to know more about them as individuals.

​The best part about Newk's is that you really don't know who is the GM over a Manager or a Customer Service Employee.   While they may wear different color shirts, you don't see Title Tags on their clothing.   When speaking to all three of the guys, they all agreed that Newk's Eatery is a family-friendly employer.   They get off major holiday's to enjoy some relaxation and free time to focus on their hobbies, families, etc.

Meet Corey Irwin.  Corey is the General Manager.  He has been with Newk's for five years.  Originally from Nebraska, he was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  He's 41 and single and loves woodworking.  Corey is well liked as a GM and you can tell by speaking and watching him ​with  other employees, he cares for each one of them.  Corey's hard work pays off with this Restaurant.  The Restaurant's quality is consistent, clean and customer service is top-notch!  He is always busy helping customers, answering the phone, making food or just about anything that needs to be done.  Great job Corey!

Meet Mark Bowers.  Mark is the Assistant Manager and has been with this Newk's Restaurant since it opened six years ago.   Mark hands me my tea glass the most!  I walk in and don't have to say one word.  He has the glass out and ready.   It doesn't matter if it is early in the morning, or later in the day, that cup is out and waiting for me!   Mark is 41 and single as well!   Mark loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping.  He likes all genres of music!  Great Job Mark!
​

Meet Justin Shutes.  This picture of Justin says it all.   All smiles all the time!  Justin is so friendly and always asks how I am doing today!   "Justin makes sure the dining room is kept perfect" says Corey Irwin, GM.   He didn't have to tell me that.  I spot Justin every time I am at the Newk's.  If I happen to have time to sit down for lunch, he always comes up and makes sure I have everything.   Justin knows that I love my tea and those bread-n-butter pickles!   Justin is 31 and has been with Newk's for a little over two years.  He says spending time with his 10-year old daughter is his favorite thing to do.  They enjoy playing games and just hanging out.  He loves old school R & B music!  The best part about working at Newk's "is the atmosphere is family friendly and it feels like home!"   Great job Justin!

All three of these guys were very humbled when I told them I wanted to feature them for the Hospitality Spotlight.   Thank you all for being top-notch!

P.S. Ladies if you are in the surrounding Little Rock area you might out to stop in this location!  
xoxo - Pat
​

What is hospitality?
​
Hospitality is a generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.  I tend to frequent places that go that extra mile on hospitality or just plain common courtesy.  It takes less energy to be polite than it does to be harsh.  Strangers can become friends overtime..

I have been stopping by the Walgreens Pharmacy located at Cantrell & Mississippi for many years.   This store opens at 7:00 a.m.  Often times I am at the door awaiting to be the first in.   I love smaller scale stores because it is faster to grab morning snacks, cosmetics, etc.  After my leg injury, it is worth for me to pay a little extra than to try and tackle a large department store.

My favorite part of stopping at this particular Walgreens is to visit with Callie Epperson.   Callie has been at this Walgreens for over eight years.  Married, with two grown children and a grandmother.   "I am finding out that I like to sing" is what she said she most discovered about herself. Callie sings in the church choir at the Baptist Church in Morrilton, Arkansas where her husband has been the Pastor the last five years.   She said that he has been in the Ministry business for over 20 years.  

Callie is the definition of hospitality.  Callie is kind and loves to listen about life stories.   We spoke often about my kids throughout the years.  She loved looking at the photos of David's Wedding as she opened to make sure they were developed properly.    Last Christmas I gave Callie a glass with silver glass charms that I had made for my friends and co-workers.   Callie was so pleased to find that someone appreciated her kindness. She immediately took the glass back to where her employee locker was so it wouldn't get broken.

I remember several years ago, I went in the store on a cold day with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Callie was filling a little under the weather and said how wonderful the hot chocolate smelled.   I decided to go across the street to the Starbucks and returned back with hot chocolate to surprise her.  She was so excited and so appreciative.  She couldn't believe that I went back just to bring her one. I was as blessed from her smiles and thankfulness. 

Hospitality is a two way street.  Be kind to one another and for everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.   

Over the next several weeks I will be "spotlighting" some everyday people who show kindness, common courtesy and simple hospitality throughout Little Rock.   Hospitality is alive and well in this City and it starts with each of us.

P.S.  Callie your hair and makeup looks just great!


xoxo
​Pat

 :
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By default I am a hyper person.    I definitely was born that way.   I always have to be doing something.  I work full time as a Systems Administrator/Administrator for a local General Contractor who specializes in Restaurant Construction.   We build/manage restaurants throughout the Mid-South.   The difference between Restaurant Construction and other Commercial Construction Projects is that Restaurants turn over from ground-up in about 120 days.   

From bidding, to starting, to closing a project requires a huge amount of attention to detail as well as lots and lots and lots of paperwork!   I can concentrate on something for long periods of time.  I am just hyper, needing to be doing something.  My brain is going even when I sleep, which isn't much.  

The kids are gone and we are empty nesters, except for the four animals that we have.   My little Shiatzu, (Shitzu) which I named Blake Shelton.  Yes, I named him Blake Shelton because I love Blake Shelton.  I already had an animal named Elvis growing up so I didn't think I could have another one with that name.  In fact, I had a cat named Presley as well, so there is that!

I decided that I would Blog.  Why not?   My neighbor blogs, my friends blog, I see everyone talking about Blogging on Facebook, etc. etc.  Thus, I formed Sweet Yellow Cornbread.  You can read about where the name came from in the About Section.  

In just a little over two months time I have become quite busy.   I had a few articles that I have "pitched" and they have been accepted and one has been published.   My goal was to get an Article published for an on-line magazine and make new friends.   That has been accomplished and I am very pleased.  I had no idea that this would happen so quick.  I had no idea that I would have so much fun in doing this "blogging."  

In fact,  I didn't tell my family I was going to blog until I did just that.   Let's just say...they laughed!  Did they not take me serious?  Did they not think I could do it?  I don't know.  I don't think they are laughing now.  I think they are just smiling and are thankful that I am not bugging them to do something with me all the time!   I bet they are celebrating with each other that I have found something to keep me out of their hair.   Hmm...…..

My neighbor said on her blog..."blogging is not for the weak"   Well, she hit that right on the nose.  Blogging takes a whole lot of time,  sure I am a software technical guru so that part was easy.   Setting up the website and the Blog was no big deal for me.   Coming up with the name was no big deal for me.  Photography was no big deal for me.   What is the big deal is the time it does take in finding stories, writing the stories, creating recipes, taking photos of the food you made.  WAIT.......that is not even the half of it.  Then you find yourself making cute little Pinterest art with the photos, writing the recipes for the blog post, tagging the blog post back to your Pinterest, your Instagram, your You-tube or whatever platform you want to reach out to.

In less than two months, I have been able to try out some products.  Review the products and write the reviews and the posts about the products.   That part is fun and the products have been something we have really liked.   So, if you see me post about soap, lights, etc. etc. it is because I have been asked to try out the product and give a review.  I am happy to do so.

I have set up some interviews and met some really neat new people.  I have reconnected with some old friends to be able to feature their stories in the upcoming months.  I am booked pretty solid for the next month or so on great features that will be coming out soon in various on-line places.   I am very thankful and grateful for this opportunity to find something that I really enjoy!

You do spend a good bit of your time engaging with others.  Engaging by sharing your photos, your pins, your blog posts, etc. throughout various other groups.  The Blogging Network is huge!  Think about it this way.....Blogging is WORLD WIDE!   It isn't state-wide or even just within our great Country.  I have met and engaged with others from all over the World.  It is very fascinating and intriguing.

I admit I was a little skeptical as well.  I thought blogging was just people writing to do their diary on an on-line form.  Well, I guess it can be.  But for me, it is much more than that!  I want to tell other peoples stories.   I want to share photos and recipes from others as well.   In the meantime, if I so happen to get the pleasure of having grand kids in the future, then maybe they will have some of my heritage or legacy passed down to them. 

This is my Birthday Eve night and the last day I will be 55.   I can say that I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed I would have.  I  had the pleasure of training and teaching hundreds how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Project, Access Development and many other Platforms.   I had the honor to teach some of our prestige "Your Honors" as well as Doctors, Lawyers, Bankers, Nurses, Engineers, Preachers, Teachers, Contractors, and the list goes on and on.   I had the privilege to teach some of the our finest Military including Majors, and I once had a 3 Star General in one of my computer classes.

I sign off for now.   I flew past 55 at a high speed. I think I will keep blogging at 56 and hopefully for several more years.  Don't worry this blogging won't be much about me except for an occasional blurb, etc.   You will be introduced to some interesting folks coming just around the corner.  

Stay tuned.....
xoxo Pat