What do you do when you wake up expecting to spend the day out and about, but open the curtains and see nothing but a dreary sky and pouring rain? You stay in and have an awesome day, of course. Take bad weather vibes and channel them into productive nesting time: complete the projects you've been meaning to get around to, spend time with the people you love in a comforting space, and of course, eat lots of good food. Read on for the perfect rainy day itinerary.
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Start With Breakfast Treats
Fight the urge to stay in bed by starting the morning off with a warm meal. If you like pastries, and who doesn't, then try these apple cider donuts. While baking them in the oven, mix up a spiced sugar glaze for a drizzle on top. The drizzle outside looks way better now.
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Work on a Wishlist Project
The best thing about having to stay indoors is that you now have time to spend on the DIYs you've been wanting to do lately. Chances are these mudcloth cushions are at the top of your list, so assemble your tools and materials and get to work.
Make the Room Ultra-Cozy
Corral your twinkle lights, your softest blankets and a stack of magazines for the afternoon ahead. You can even DIY a lightbox to complement the look — the pre-made versions are pricy, but you can make your own in just a morning. When the rain lets up for a few minutes, take a quick trip to the craft and hardware stores to pick up a sheet of plastic, some styrene and black PVC foam.
Cook Zoodles for Lunch
When you're feeling hungry for lunch, go for something hot to ward the chill away. That means it's time to break out your spiralizer for zoodle pasta. It's a much healthier alternative to traditional pasta, and it goes great with bread. Pro tip: if you like your bread crispy, heat your loaf up in the oven before you start to eat.
Entertain the Kids for the Afternoon
If you have kids in the house, chances are they're feeling a little stir-crazy by now. Enlist them to help you make a can toss game that they can use with care inside. Decorating the cans will only take a few hours, but it'll keep the kids occupied until dinner.
Whip Up a Cute Hat
If you know the forecast is set for a few days of bad weather, then you want to make sure you have the right clothes to get through it. Round up your umbrella, gloves and rain jacket. If you're in need of more cold weather gear, make this faux fur hat from scratch.
Take a Snack Break
After working hard all morning and afternoon, you'll need something tasty to power you through the evening. These zucchini chips are super easy: cut up a zucchini, brush the pieces with olive oil and salt and throw them in the oven. Once you take a bite, you'll never want to eat store-bought chips again.
Upgrade Your Dinner Plans
Take advantage of staying in for dinner to cook a world-class meal for yourself. Seafood cioppino is a perfect recipe: it's an upgrade on the canned soup you would have just heated up on the stove top, and you don't have to brave the elements to get great food. Don't forget to pour yourself a glass of wine, too.
Prep Your Dessert
A dish of ice cream doesn't sound that good when it's pouring outside, does it? But you can still have dessert — just warm up a plate of brie cheese. Try it with maple syrup and toasted nuts or dried cranberries. Then, open up a box of crackers.
End the Day With Cider
And at the end of the night, finish everything up with a cup of mulled cider in your hand — it tastes delicious with a little bit of rum in it. Instead of hunkering down for the day, you took the time indoors to your full advantage by tackling DIY projects and savoring the best food. Rainy days aren't so bad, are they?
