Recently updated on May 30th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Meet Leslie Walker: Loving Homecare’s Office Manager
When we partner with a family through the adventures of aging, we know this brings a fusing of our “family” to yours. This holiday season, one of our Loving Homecare “family” members, Leslie Walker, sends you holiday greetings, and shares a bit of her story to help you get to know us and why we serve.
Meet Leslie
Meet Leslie Walker, the Loving Homecare office manager. Leslie has enjoyed managing in the office for 3+ years working alongside her co-workers and serving both our clients and caregivers. Leslie was asked to bring her organizational skills to Loving Homecare to help solidify the company and prepare it to be sold to its present owner, Tanner Gish. She is especially glad to contribute to the administrative teamwork that supports the positive atmosphere Loving Homecare is known for.
Senior care is close to Leslie’s heart because she had the honor of helping care for both her mom and dad, along with her siblings and a caregiver, while both parents were still in their home. She has 30+ years of office administration experience working in a variety of offices, one of the most recent being BIOLA Youth Theatre (Biola University youth program) for over six years. Leslie enjoyed working with the Biola families during the years that all three of her children participated in their four annual musical theater productions.
Leslie and her husband Ken have been married for 31+ years and have been blessed with three wonderful children. Their daughter, Colleen is 27, is a Cal State Fullerton grad (Ken’s alma mater) and works in North Carolina, their son Nick is 24 a Westmont College grad (his grandparent’s alma mater) and is a teacher in Santa Barbara, and their daughter Hannah is 20 and works for Trader Joe’s and will most likely be transferring from Saddleback College next year to a new school. Ken transitioned from being a Minister of Music for 30 years at several Southern California churches to being a co-teacher of instrumental music at a grammar school in San Clemente. Ken and Leslie are excited to welcome two new members to their family in 2021. Colleen will be marrying Thomas who is a pastor and Nicholas will be marrying Kristin who is a 5th-grade school teacher. The family is completed by their family dogs, Mr. Darcy and Emma Jane.
Leslie’s favorite hobby is cooking especially for family gatherings. Leslie’s dad is 92 and continues to enjoy many of the family’s favorite recipes.
To celebrate the holidays, we thought we would share two holiday treats with you, Leslie wanted to share two gifts:
#1. Grandma Flora’s Apple “Figgy Pudding” Recipe
The secret family recipe passed to Leslie from Ken’s 85-year-old mom, Flora, who continues to enjoy the cake during the holidays. The cake resembles the traditional “Figgy Pudding” served in the Dickens tale “A Christmas Story,” this “Apple Pudding Cake” is like an apple pie bread pudding. Don’t forget to top it with your favorite whipped cream. This apple treat was featured as the Christmas dessert served after the Christmas Concerts presented by the adult choir and orchestra Ken directed and Leslie’s children’s choirs participated.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups diced Granny Smith apples
- 1 ½ to 2 cups of sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2/4 cup oil
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Set oven to 350º F. Then, pour sugar over diced apples and mix well. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. The batter will be stiff and hard to stir. Spread in grease 9” x 13” pan. Bake at 350º F for 24 to 60 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick or cake tester. Do not overcook.
#2. Sierra Madre Congregational Choir & Orchestra: “Climb to the Highest Mountain”
A recording from one of these Christmas Concert Chorale & Orchestra performances in years past with Sierra Madre Congregational Church near Pasadena. The choir and orchestra are directed by Ken (Leslie’s husband). Their daughter Hannah is the soloist on the song “Climb to the Highest Mountain,” a beautiful encouragement to share the good news of Immanuel every Christmas season.
We hope you have enjoyed meeting one of our Loving Homecare staff members as we continue to work together as a team serving you.