Baking Belonging: Apple Turnovers, Volunteering, and Rebuilding My Village
By Latosha Walker
Founder & CEO, Wondering.Waves | Military Spouse | Creator | Storyteller
Published: October 4, 2025
There’s something about fall that always brings me back to the kitchen—and to the heart of my community. As the leaves glow and the air turns crisp, I crave not just apples and cinnamon, but the togetherness that comes from sharing something homemade with others.
A Season for Community and Comfort
There’s a certain magic in the way autumn sunlight filters through golden leaves, casting warmth across kitchen counters and neighborhood sidewalks alike. It’s the season of comfort food and comfort people—the time of year when I find myself reaching for old recipes and new opportunities to gather.
This year, as I roll up my sleeves for the First Class Petty Officers Association’s fall fundraiser, I’m reminded that volunteering in the military community isn’t just something I do. It’s a part of who I am—a thread woven through my family, my marriage, and my sense of belonging. It’s how I honor the spirit of service, and how I find my village, again and again, wherever the Navy sends us.
Latosha pulls a tray of fresh apple turnovers from the oven in her cozy autumn kitchen.
Apple Turnovers and a Grandma’s Love
If you know me, you know that food is never just food in my world—it’s a story, a memory, a way to carry love from one season to the next. My Grandma Anna could turn a kitchen into magic. Every fall, after our school’s legendary apple-picking event, she’d come home with cases of apples—Granny Smiths, Honeycrisps, and whatever else the big truck from Hood River, Oregon, brought to our little town. The kitchen would fill with the scent of simmering apple butter, bubbling pies, and—my absolute favorite—warm apple turnovers straight from the oven.
I remember foggy windows, laughter echoing off the walls, and the way my grandma’s hands moved quickly—peeling, slicing, mixing, folding—while I tried to keep up, sneaking tastes of warm apple filling when she wasn’t looking. Those little turnovers were more than dessert; they were comfort, tradition, and love, all folded up in flaky pastry. Now, years later, making them for others is my way of passing on that feeling.
Lessons from the Apple-Picking Days
Some of my fondest childhood memories are from those apple-picking events at Three Sisters SDA. The excitement would start the moment that big truck rolled in, loaded with giant crates—at least three or four different kinds of apples. My family always helped on the back end: tossing up empty boxes, filling them with apples, then passing them down the human conveyor belt into the gym, where they’d be sold or given to people who had pre-paid.
The gym would buzz with activity—kids darting between stacks of boxes, parents chatting as they sorted apples, teachers organizing the orders. There was a rhythm to it all, a sense of purpose that was bigger than any one person. By the end of the day, my arms would ache from lifting and carrying, but my heart would be so full. I didn’t realize it then, but these moments were teaching me about the power of community—the way people can come together, work hard, and make something beautiful happen.
Looking back, I see now that those events were about much more than apples. They were about raising funds for our little private school—so we could get new equipment or keep the doors open another year. They were about students, teachers, families, and neighbors all pitching in for something bigger than ourselves. Even as a kid, I felt proud and connected—not just to my classmates and teachers, but to the whole community.
The Heart of Volunteering & Finding My Village
Volunteering was just part of life growing up—sometimes even when we were “voluntold.” As an adult, I’ve felt the ache of not having a village. Moving as a military spouse means starting over, again and again. Each new city means new streets to learn, new grocery stores to navigate, and—hardest of all—a new community to find.
There have been times when I felt like an outsider, watching other families with their built-in support systems and wondering if I’d ever find my people again. But every time I’ve shown up—whether it’s for a local clean-up, a crochet circle, or a military family event—I’ve found little sparks of connection. Sometimes it’s just a smile or a shared laugh over a dropped ball of yarn. Other times, it’s a deep conversation with someone who understands what it’s like to miss home, to crave belonging, to want to give back.
The truth is, rebuilding a village isn’t always easy. It takes vulnerability, persistence, and a willingness to try—even when you feel awkward, shy, or unsure. But every relationship, every act of service, every apple turnover shared is a step toward community.
Diary-Style Vignette: A Potluck Morning
Last Friday, my kitchen was quiet except for the soft hum of the oven and the gentle clatter of baking sheets. It wasn’t a big production—just me at the counter, making a small batch of twelve apple turnovers for the First Class Petty Officers Association’s potluck fundraiser. I wanted them to be fresh, still warm when I carried them to the detachment.
As I rolled out the dough and spooned in the apple filling, I thought about the people who’d be gathering that afternoon—familiar faces and new ones, all coming together for a good cause. There’s something special about contributing homemade food, even in a small way. It’s a quiet act of care, a way of saying, “I see you, and I want you to feel welcome.”
When I arrived, the kitchen at the det was already buzzing with activity—crockpots bubbling, trays of cookies, and the laughter of sailors and spouses setting up tables. Someone noticed my turnovers and smiled, asking if they were a family recipe. I got to share a little story about my grandma, and for a moment, it felt like she was right there with us, passing on comfort and connection through every flaky bite.
Mindfulness in Every Bite
Food, for me, is a mindfulness practice. There’s something grounding about the rhythm of peeling, slicing, folding, and baking. When I make apple turnovers, I try to be present—to notice the sound of the knife on the cutting board, the feel of flour dusting my hands, the way the apple filling bubbles and thickens on the stove. I breathe in the scent of cinnamon and butter, letting it anchor me in the moment, no matter how busy or uncertain life feels.
Baking is a way to slow down, to savor the process—not just the finished treat. It reminds me to find joy in the making, not just the sharing. And when I offer a warm turnover to someone else, it’s a way of saying: you belong here, too.
The First Class Petty Officers Association: Serving and Supporting
This year, I’m especially proud to support the First Class Petty Officers Association (FCPOA) through fundraisers and volunteering. The FCPOA is a group made up of sailors like my husband—people who are dedicated not only to their own careers, but to uplifting others. Every year, they raise funds for causes that matter: supporting families, providing events for the community, and strengthening the bonds that hold our military community together.
Even if I don’t always know the specific cause for the year, I know the heart behind it. The FCPOA cares deeply about giving back, about showing up for each other, and about making sure no one gets left behind. It’s a spirit I see in my husband and in so many others who wear the uniform. It’s a spirit I try to carry into my own work, whether I’m crocheting comfort dolls, baking apple turnovers, or just lending a hand where it’s needed.
Bringing a Little Sweetness to Fall
So, for this year, I’m excited to share my grandma’s apple turnover tradition with you. These turnovers are simple, sweet, and packed with the kind of flavor that only comes from real apples and a lot of heart. And because I can never resist a twist, I’m including a caramel option too—because why not make things a little extra cozy?
Rebuilding the Village—One Act at a Time
If you’re reading this and feeling a little disconnected, I want you to know you’re not alone. Rebuilding your “village” can start with the smallest steps. Maybe it’s volunteering at a local event, joining a clean-up day, or just saying yes to a new opportunity. If you can’t find the right group, create one—host a craft night, start a book club, or invite someone for coffee. Show up as you are, and don’t worry if it feels awkward at first. What matters is that you’re reaching out, making space, and letting others know they belong.
I’ve found that sharing my story—through this blog, on social media, or in person—helps others feel seen and inspired to reach out too. You never know who needs to hear that they’re welcome, just as they are.
Practical Ways to Build Your Own Village
Start small: Volunteer at a local event or offer your skills to a community group.
Look for connection, not perfection: Showing up is what matters.
Create your own group: Host a craft night, book club, or coffee chat.
Say yes to invitations, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.
Share your story: You might inspire someone else to reach out!
Legacy, Belonging, and the Power of Sharing
For me, the legacy of those apple-picking days, my grandma’s kitchen, and all the volunteering I’ve done isn’t just about what I give—it’s about the connections I make and the sense of belonging I help create. Whether you have kids or not, whether you’re new to a place or have lived there forever, you can be part of building a village. We all deserve a place to belong, and sometimes all it takes is a warm treat, a shared story, or a helping hand.
Through Wondering.Waves, I hope to inspire others to find their people, create their own traditions, and pass on the warmth that’s been given to me. We may not always get to choose our circumstances, but we can always choose to show up for one another.
The Ripple Effect of Sharing
One of my favorite things about sharing stories and recipes is watching the ripple effect they can have. Sometimes, a simple blog post or a heartfelt reflection can spark conversations, inspire someone to reach out, or even lead to unexpected connections. I’ve found that when we share honestly—about food, community, or the little things that bring us comfort—others often respond with their own memories and kindness.
It reminds me that authentic storytelling has a way of bringing people together, whether it’s neighbors, fellow creatives, or even local businesses who see themselves in the spirit of what’s shared. I love knowing that a recipe or a memory posted here might be the start of a new friendship or a meaningful exchange.
If you’re reading this and feel inspired to connect, share your story, or simply say hello, I’d love to hear from you. Every act of sharing—big or small—helps weave a stronger, warmer community.
May this season bring you comfort, connection, and a little sweetness—wherever you are and whoever you’re with.
With warmth and wonder,
Latosha
Grandma Anna’s Apple Turnovers (with Caramel Option!)
Ingredients:
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
2 medium apples (1 Granny Smith, 1 Honeycrisp)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp flour or cornstarch
1 egg (for egg wash)
For caramel version: 3–4 soft caramels, chopped, or 2 tbsp caramel sauce
Powdered sugar + splash of milk (for glaze, optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Peel, core, and dice apples. Sauté in butter with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice for 5–7 minutes, until soft. Stir in flour/cornstarch and cook another 1–2 minutes. Let cool.
For caramel turnovers: Add chopped caramels or drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before sealing.
Cut puff pastry into 4 squares. Spoon filling onto each, fold into triangles, and seal edges with a fork.
Brush with egg wash, cut a slit for steam, and bake 18–22 minutes until golden.
Drizzle with glaze if you like, and enjoy warm!
Optional: Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream for extra fall magic!