10 Lovely Things to Do on Rainy Summer Days (Cottagecore Edition)
Here in Texas, we’ve been dancing between sunshine and storms lately. One moment, the sun is blazing and the kids are splashing in the pool—and the next, the sky turns silver and a warm summer rain starts falling over everything. Pool season is technically here, but with these gentle, off-and-on showers, it feels like Mother Nature is reminding us to slow down and pay attention. And honestly? I don’t mind it one bit.
There’s something sacred about rain in the summertime. It softens the world, makes everything smell like earth and green things, and gives us a little excuse to pause. Over the years, I’ve learned to not just put up with the rain—but to truly embrace it. Whether I’m catching up on home projects or simply sitting with a cup of tea by the window, I find so much comfort in these quiet, drizzly moments.
If you’re finding yourself in the same rhythm—sun, then rain, then sun again—here are some of my favorite ways to romanticize a summer rainy day, cottagecore style.
1. Tidy Up with Intention
When the rain keeps us indoors, it’s the perfect time to tend to the spaces we often ignore. I like to use these days to dust my antique mirror, refold my linen napkins, or reorganize the shelf where my vintage teacups live. It’s not about deep cleaning—just little acts of care. I put on soft music (or the sound of rain itself), light a candle scented like fresh herbs or lemon peel, and move slowly from room to room. There’s something healing about bringing order and beauty to your home when the world outside feels misty and soft.
2. Try a New Recipe from Grandma’s Recipe Box
Rainy days always stir up something deep in me—a longing for comfort, for the smell of something baking, and for the kind of quiet you can only find when the world slows down. When the rain begins to tap gently on the windows and pool season gets paused yet again, I reach for the recipe box filled with handwritten cards from my mother and grandmother—each one a memory in ink and flour smudges.
There’s something so special about baking on a rainy summer afternoon. It’s not rushed or fancy—it’s soft, slow, and filled with heart. Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make when the skies are gray and the soul craves something warm:
Sugar Shortbread Cookies
Delicate and buttery, these melt-in-your-mouth cookies are my rainy-day staple. They’re so simple—just butter, sugar, flour, and love—but they pair beautifully with a bowl of fresh strawberries or a drizzle of lemon glaze. I love to cut them into scalloped rounds or use vintage cookie stamps for that heirloom charm. These always remind me of summer teatimes on the porch, even if the rain keeps us inside.
Wild Blueberry Pie
A true celebration of summer. I use frozen wild blueberries when fresh ones aren’t on hand, mixed with a touch of coconut sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch to thicken it just right. Wrapped in a flaky homemade crust, this pie is one of my favorite things to bake when the house feels quiet and still. It fills the air with the scent of berries and spice, and it tastes like memories.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s just something about chocolate chip cookies on a rainy day. The classic kind—crispy at the edges, soft in the center, and loaded with chunks of semi-sweet chocolate. I often add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right as they come out of the oven. Warm from the tray and paired with a cup of tea or milk, these cookies feel like a hug in every bite. The kids never mind a rainy day when these are baking.
These recipes aren’t about impressing anyone—they’re about grounding yourself in the goodness of home, tradition, and the beauty of slowing down. On stormy days, when our outdoor plans change and we’re nudged indoors, I find so much comfort in the kitchen. The oven warms the house, the rain waters the garden, and I get to create something simple and beautiful from scratch.
And isn’t that the heart of cottagecore? Savoring what we have, embracing the moment, and finding magic in the ordinary.
3. Craft with What You Have
One of my favorite rainy-day rituals is pulling out my craft box and seeing what I can make with what’s already in the house. Scraps of lace, buttons from a thrift haul, dried herbs from the garden—they all have stories to tell. On rainy days, I’ll stitch little lavender sachets to tuck into drawers, create pressed flower bookmarks, or wrap thrifted candles in paper and twine for future gifts. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just meaningful. The joy is in the making, not the perfection.
4. Host an Indoor Tea Picnic
When we can’t have our tea out in the garden, we bring the charm indoors. I spread a floral blanket across the living room floor, pull out my favorite mismatched teacups, and plate up whatever baked goods I have on hand. Sometimes the kids join in, and we pretend we’re in an old English cottage listening to rain on the rooftop. Other times, it’s just me, my journal, and a little lemon cake. There’s something incredibly romantic about slowing down and making even the ordinary feel special.
5. Journal, Dream, and Plan
Rainy weather naturally lends itself to reflection. I’ll sit by the window with a warm drink and jot down garden ideas, blog content plans, or little dreams I’ve been holding onto. Sometimes I just write about the day—the way the rain sounds or how my hydrangeas look under gray skies. These simple reflections ground me and help me notice the goodness in each moment. If you’ve been feeling scattered or tired, a quiet journaling moment might be exactly what your soul needs.
6. Watch the World Turn Green Again
One of the most healing things you can do on a rainy day is nothing at all. I often find myself just sitting—on the porch or by a window—watching the rain fall. It brings out the deepest greens in the leaves, makes everything shimmer, and slows time in the best way. I watch raindrops collect in my French flower pots and listen to the rocking chairs creak on my old porch. These still moments remind me of what’s important—connection, beauty, peace.
7. Reorganize Your Wardrobe for the Week
Rainy days are also good for getting ahead. I’ll use the time indoors to choose outfits for the days ahead—especially pieces that layer well or feel good when it’s muggy and damp. I love setting out linen skirts, cotton blouses, and easy cardigans that feel both romantic and practical. A rainy week doesn’t mean style has to be sacrificed—in fact, it’s a chance to be even more intentional.
8. Play with Your Children the Old-Fashioned Way
If you're a mama like me, you know that rainy days with little ones can either be chaotic or magical—depending on your perspective. I lean into the magic. We’ll play old board games, make cinnamon-sugar toast, read fairy tales, or even let them go out and splash barefoot in the puddles. Sometimes we bake together. Sometimes we paint. What matters is that we’re together, cozy and connected, while the world outside drips and hums.
9. Tend to Indoor Plants and Dry Herbs
My herbs grow wild during the summer, and when I know a week of rain is coming, I start drying bundles to preserve them. Rainy days give me time to hang them up with twine, clean out my indoor pots, and tend to the greenery that keeps our home feeling fresh. You can also propagate your favorite plants—just snip a stem, place it in water, and watch it root over the next few weeks. Even in the rain, things keep growing.
10. Treasure Hunt Online or Organize Your Thrift Finds
When the thrift shops are a bit too soggy to visit in person, I curl up and do some online hunting—estate sales, vintage shops, or local resellers. It’s also a great time to organize your finds from the last few weeks. I go through baskets, clean up fabric pieces, and decide what’s for keeps and what’s ready to sell. Rainy days make me feel extra inspired to work on listings or dream up the stories behind the pieces I’ve rescued.
Rain or Shine
It’s easy to wish the rain away when we have summer picnics to plan or gardens to tend. But I’ve learned that the rain has a rhythm of its own—and it’s one that’s worth honoring. Rainy days are an invitation to slow down, breathe deeper, and find joy in quiet routines. So if the clouds are rolling in again where you are, take heart. Light a candle, steep a pot of tea, and let the day unfold slowly.
After all, summer isn’t just about the sunshine—it’s about the fullness of the season, every drop included.
With love and lavender,
Brooke
🌧️ Pin It for Later
Summer storms may slow us down, but they invite us to savor life’s simplest pleasures. From baking sugar cookies and blueberry pie to embracing cozy crafts and quiet homemaking, this guide is full of slow, soul-nourishing ideas to make every rainy day feel magical. Save this post for your next rainy afternoon—you’ll want it close by.
Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet! I’m Brooke, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. As a homeschool mom and a lover of all things Cottagecore, I’ve built a life that’s all about creating warmth, charm, and simplicity—and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Cottagecore, for me, is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of intentional living—finding joy in baking fresh bread, tending a garden, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea by a sunny window. It’s about blending the rustic charm of Cottagecore with the refined elegance of French Country style to create a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.
One of my greatest passions is curating unique, timeless treasures that reflect this way of life. Whether it’s a vintage find, a sustainable piece, or a handmade item with a story to tell, I love sharing these special discoveries with you. And now, you can shop these carefully chosen pieces right here! Each item is selected with love, bringing charm, sustainability, and elegance into your home and wardrobe.
This little community of like-minded women makes everything even sweeter. I’m so excited to connect, inspire, and celebrate the magic of Cottagecore together. Thank you for stopping by—it means the world to me. Let’s embrace a simpler, more beautiful life, one lovely find at a time!
Bursting with sweet, rich flavor and wrapped in a flaky, rustic crust, this wild blueberry pie is a timeless dessert that feels like home in every bite.