You know those days when you planned to conquer the garden beds, get your hands gloriously dirty, and plant your little heart out… and then Mother Nature says, "Nah, it's rain and mud for you today"?

Yep, it’s one of those days here too.

But honestly? Sometimes a good rainy day is a hidden gift—a chance to tackle all the little projects that future-you will seriously high-five you for.

Here’s what’s on my rainy day homestead list today (plus a few more ideas if you're stuck inside too!):

1. Seed Packet Audit 

Instead of planting, I’m cozying up with my big basket of seeds—sorting, checking expiration dates, and making notes on what I need to reorder for next season.

Bonus points if you organize them by planting time or type (hello, Pinterest-worthy seed boxes!)

2. Freezer Organization Party (No Really, It’s Fun-ish) 

I’m digging through the freezers today, making sure nothing’s turning into mystery meat at the bottom.

• Grouping like items together (meats, veggies, prepped meals)

• Making a quick inventory list

• Pulling out anything that needs to be used up soon

Trust me: freezer-Tetris today saves major headaches later when you’re elbow-deep searching for a chicken breast.

3. Canning All the Things 

The rain is basically giving me permission to stay in the kitchen and fire up the canner.
Today's project?

• Canning up some meat (hello, easy dinners)

• Making a big batch of pasta sauce with what I have on hand and canning that too

It smells amazing, and there’s something deeply satisfying about hearing those jar lids ping while the rain taps on the windows.

4. Winter Clothes Declutter 

Since I’m not tramping around in the mud, it's a good day to haul out the winter stuff:

• Wash and properly store heavy coats and sweaters

• Donate anything I didn’t wear

• Make a shopping list of cold-weather gear I might need next season (shopping secondhand now = serious deals!)

One less thing to stress about when the temperatures drop again!

5. Homestead Maintenance Planning 

Grab a hot cup of tea and a notebook and map out all those “I should fix that” projects:

• Fence repairs

• Coop maintenance

• Equipment tune-ups

Making a list now helps spread out the projects later—and might even save you from panicking in July when a hinge finally gives out.

6. Preserving and Pantry Checks 

Use the day to:

• Check your pantry for expiring preserves or canned goods

• Make a plan to use anything nearing its shelf life

• Dream up some new preserves or fermenting projects for the season ahead (homemade pickles, anyone?)

7. Self-Care Moments 

Because hey, rainy days aren’t just for hustling.
Maybe light a candle, pull out a book you’ve been meaning to read, or spend a few minutes dreaming and planning for your homestead goals. Future-you needs you to take care of yourself too.

Enjoy the Quiet

A rainy day doesn’t have to feel like a washout. It’s just a different kind of homestead magic—quieter, maybe even a little gentler. It’s the kind of day that reminds us good things happen when we slow down and tend to the behind-the-scenes parts of this life we’re building.

So if you’re stuck inside today too, lean into it. Organize, dream, simmer some sauce, and know that these little efforts will pay off when the sun comes back out.