I Confess: There's Something I Actually Liked about Ohio’s Stay-at-Home Order

Editor’s Note: This blog was written three years ago at the start of the pandemic but was never posted. Sharing now as a memorable “silver lining” of that scary time.

Our home has smelled a lot better since Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered dine-in restaurants closed and residents to stay home.

That’s because my husband and daughter have been cooking and baking every day for the past six weeks while these orders have been in place. With no activities, no commuting to- and-from the office, no school schedule and no restaurants to dine at, it’s been all home cooking all the time – and I’ve loved it!

As I sit here writing this, my husband is in the kitchen – making Italian bread and sub rolls from scratch – where he has been for much of the 40-plus days we’ve been ordered to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last night, he made homemade meatballs; the night before homemade pasta. A few days before that it was breaded pork chops, homemade applesauce and scalloped potatoes. (See yummy photos below.)

Our family has never eaten better!

We are fortunate: All of us have remained healthy since this pandemic began and my husband and I have continued working, albeit from home. Because of this foundation, we’ve been able to reap an unforeseen benefit of lockdown: More time, less rat race. That’s both enabled and motivated us to change our family meal routine.

For years we’ve talked about planning a weekly menu and then following it. But it wasn’t until our commutes to the office ceased, our inability to eat at restaurants ended and our thirst for a distraction from the boredom of “life on pause” grew, that we actually followed through with it.

It’s no secret in our house that my husband is the best cook (with our oldest daughter a close second). Before the lockdown, I cooked out of necessity, not love. I am routinely home more often and do the grocery shopping, so it made sense for me to cook. But I’ve never enjoyed it or excelled at it.

The mandate to stay at home all the time, jolted us from our meal-making routine and it’s been a joy for all of us. My husband loves to cook. Our family loves to eat his cooking.

I still do the grocery shopping but not until my husband and oldest daughter plan the menu, meal-by-meal for the week and make a detailed list of needed ingredients. As they were doing this at the kitchen table the other night, my daughter remarked: “This is fun!”

“Isn’t it!” my husband responded.

They plan breakfast, lunch and dinner for seven days. I try not to go to the grocery store before the week is up. The fewer trips, the better.

In the past month or so, we’ve enjoyed Nutella and banana crepes, Nest Eggs (borrowed from our favorite breakfast place, Luna Bakery) and homemade sourdough waffles for breakfast. For lunch, it’s been chopped salad and kale wraps and grilled cheese. Dinners have been the most scrumptious with the meals mentioned above plus rosemary pork loin, stir-fry chicken and turkey tettrazini.

Youtube has become my husband’s new best friend as he searches for recipes. Jamie Oliver is a frequent resource.

What’s added to our dining experience is my daughter’s love – and ability – to bake. She made a delicious foccacia bread one night and has whipped up new creations from scratch, including a Caramel Drip Cake, homemade Oreo ice cream and Vanilla Sprinkle Cake. Yum!

I’ve joked with friends that I’m going to put on the Covid 15 during Covid-19.

As Gov. DeWine prepares to lift the state’s stay-at-home order this week (May 1), we’re ready to “get back out into the world again.” We’re eager to visit and support our local restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores, as guidelines permit. We’ve missed them!

But despite the fear, anxiety and sadness of the past several weeks, I will always cherish the wonderful meals our family shared together – and the fact that I didn’t have to cook them. It will forever be a part of our family’s story.

What’s your story?

Email Susan Valerian at susan.e.valerian@gmail.com or visit www.letmetellyourstory.net

Breaded pork chops, homemade applesauce and scalloped potatoes.