Hello, friends!
It's been more than a year since I've posted a recipe on this blog. I can't believe I took such a long break from posting anything here, especially since I posted several times a week for more than five years prior. I know many of you have been wondering where I've been or if I fell off the face of the earth, and I am back to reassure you that I am alive and well and the whole family is doing great! Thank you so much for all the caring emails and comments on the blog, Facebook, Instagram, etc. I really appreciate all of your genuine concern and well wishes.
Where do I even begin?
In the last post, I shared that I had given birth to our second son, Joshua. He is now 9 months old, such a lovable, sweet baby, who is crawling all over the house, getting into any cupboards and drawers that aren't locked up and especially his older brother's personal space and favorite toys. As most of you know, both of my pregnancies with the boys were very difficult and high-risk and I had many complications and a long recovery with both. (If you're new and are interested in finding out more, you can read more by clicking on this sentence.) After I had Josh via c-section, I had a really hard time getting my strength back and lost a lot of weight and had to be on TPN (intravenous nutrition) for a few months. I was in a lot of pain because of all the scar tissue from the multiple abdominal surgeries that were disturbed during the c-section and my wound ruptured along the c-section scar, so it took many months to close up and heal. The pregnancy took a huge toll on my body, causing many GI issues, which I'm still trying to manage. The malnutrition, weight loss, and constant electrolyte imbalances are the reasons why it's taking me so long to recover.
Obviously, I was so sick, blogging was completely out of the question. For a long time, we were in survival mode. I didn't go anywhere - not a simple run to the grocery store, church, or getting together with family or friends. All I could do was take care of my babies and muster up enough strength for doctor appointments. When I finally started feeling stronger and had more good days than bad, I just savored the good days, catching up on housework and spending time with my family.
I had not intended to take such a long break from blogging. At the time, I could only focus on getting my health back. Even when I started to feel better, I decided to stay off all social media, because I didn't want to have the pressure of feeling the need to return before I was ready and prolonging the healing process. I'm sure most of you can understand.
I've definitely missed blogging, cooking and writing. I am so happy to once again be able to take care of my children, my home, the grocery shopping, cooking and being more social once again. I really hope I can slowly ease my way back to blogging and sharing new recipes with all of you. I still struggle with health issues and am trying to establish my groove as a Mom of two little boys, so I can't predict how everything will unfold here on Olga's Flavor Factory. I will do my best to return just as soon as I am able because I truly enjoy it.
Everything is so different than what it was just three short years ago. I find myself looking around at my messy house strewn with little boy "treasures", and can't believe that this is my life now. Going on walks with a smiling baby in the stroller and a curious toddler running next to me, stopping every 5 seconds to pick up rocks and sticks is a dream come true. Through these simple, everyday moments, I am reminded over and over again, how amazing it is that I get to experience the miracle of being a Mama and that my boys are healthy even though they had such a rough start.
It feels so good to be writing a blog post. It's like coming home after a very long, tiring and stressful journey. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I ease my way back to sharing recipes with you once again.
Welcome back Olga! 😊 It's really been an amazing and uplifting journey to follow along with you! You are an inspiration and a beacon of light! Thank you for sharing your love of life and food with us! Wishing you and your family all the best, and your boys are just so adorable! 😍
Oh my lord!
So grateful to hear your life is coming together and both boys are sweet and handsome looking, enjoy the sunshine and keep sprinkling sweetness around you and your young family.
I am soo glad that you and your family is doing great. Soo happy for you, and it's good you found a little time to post something for your readers, soo nice of you. May God bless you and your family with lots of health and happiness, and return to blogging anytime time soon
You and your family are such an inspiration. I am so happy you are doing better. Looking forward to many more post from you. Do it at your own pace we all will be enriched by your sharing your life with us. God bless you and yours.
Oh my goodness, hello hello! Missed you! You look happy, healthy and beautiful! Little Joshua looks like your dad! Glad you hear you are alive and well. Still love your recipes and pop in here (making plov today). Enjoy this season, no pressure to post. Still lots of good things here!
Welcome back! Your story and optimism has always kept me following you! I really enjoy your blog! Such cute little boys you have!
So glad to hear you are "alive and well" and recovering! You look wonderful, and you're glowing with health, although every day may not feel like it. Your family is beautiful. Bless you and may the Lord continue to keep you and your family. I've been checking your site once a week for a long time and saying a little prayer for the Lord to bless your family - and today I see this great news! PRAISE His Name!
Welcome back! Sending you a big hug. I cannot believe how much your boys have grown!
Hi, Olga! I am so happy to see you back, even if it was just a few pictures. I think and pray for you often and am so overjoyed for your family. I'm glad your eeling better, even if just a little better. Excited for more of what The Lord has in store for you and your family. And wow, Nathaniel is such a little Klychits and Joshua looks so much like your family ❤️
Hi Olga,
Even though I don't know you personally I feel like I have gotten to know you after reading about your life story and trying out many of your recipes. You went through so much but leaned on God and came out strong and that is such an encouragement to me. So when I didn't see any more posts after your last one I assumed it was too hard for you ( and at the same time was hoping everything was ok and said multiple prayers for you ) and was very sad about it, and kept checking in occasionally hoping that maybe one day I will see a new post about how you are doing. And when i opened my email today and saw a new post by you i was so pleasantly surprised, it kindda made my day. I was so happy to see you are doing so well and your boys are getting so big. Thank you for all you share with us, the ups and downs. May God continue to bless you and your family and give you physical and spiritual strength in your journey.
Hello Olga! It is soooooo great to hear from you! Your family is very beautiful! I've been praying for you every time I thought of you! And checking the blog to see if you have posted any updates about you well being & of course using your previously posted recipes! I'm so thankful to God that you're feeling better & thank you for the update! May God continue to heal you & give you strength!!!! Love to have you back! 🙂 🙂
Dearest Olichka!!!!!! It's so great to hear from you again!!!! We were defiantly worrying about you!!!!! Thanks to the Lord that you are better, although still week!!!! You look so happy and your boys are sooooooooo adorable and cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May God bless your adorable family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May God bless you and send you health and strenght!!!!!!!!!!! We all love you and sooooooooooooo happy to see you back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Olga! Praise God you're feeling better! Soo glad to hear your updates! may God give you strength and patience as you fully recover. Can't wait for new recipes!
It is so nice to hear from you. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and let us know that you and your precious family are doing great. Praise God!!!! I have been cooking sooo much from your blog just in a month of July and august. I looked at my planner and I made all these goodies: apple Dutch baby, cheesey chicken meatballs, orzo with roasted veggies, spring chicken and vegetable soup, split seconds (oooo so good), lazy lasagna, antipasti Stromboli, chocolate volcano cake (yum), peach hand pies. We had creamy chicken & broccoli rice casserole for today's dinner after church. Thank you for all of your delicious recipes!!! Can't wait to see your new creations:))) May God bless your family! Your boys are so handsome;)
So glad to hear you are doing much better. Your boys are incredibly handsome, just adorable 😍. Praying for a full recovery of your health. May God Bless your young family!