After suffering a stroke my Grandma Chopp lost the use of her left arm and was no longer able to make the Apple Strudel she so lovingly prepared every holiday.  To continue the tradition, she taught me the art of stretching the dough so thin you can read a newspaper through it.  I have passed on the tradition by teaching my family and we gather every year to make strudel for the holidays.  The smell of apple strudel baking is so comforting and nostalgic! It’s one of those scents that instantly makes you think of family gatherings and cozy kitchens. Apple strudel has such a special place in Central and Eastern European traditions too, so it holds a special significance for me, especially with my connection to Croatia.