My paternal grandmother grew up in a small Czech community outside of Houston, Texas. Her parents emigrated to the United States as children. I have many happy memories of time spent with my grandmother; one of my favorites: every December my two younger sisters and I, along with our cousins, would join her for a day of baking kolaches (pronounced ko-la-chees). Oh, how the smell and taste of those delicious Czech pastries evokes memories of precious times and happy Christmases!
My grandmother is gone now but I am trying to carry on with the Christmas tradition. I use my great-aunt Silvia's recipe. Earlier this week I pulled out the photocopies of those old typewritten recipe pages. I started to prepare fillings -- apple, peach, smoked sausage -- and posipka, the streusel topping. This weekend I will bake. I can't wait to smell them, and eat them, and share them with my family.
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