Whenever the weather takes a turn for the worse and it is chucking it down outside, my go-to pastime is home baking, particularly making artisan sourdough bread from scratch. It is something I picked up a couple of years ago, and now, if there is a stormy weekend afternoon, I almost automatically head straight to the kitchen.
Most of the time, I just do it by myself because I find the whole routine quite therapeutic and calming. That said, occasionally my younger sister pops round to my flat, and we will bake together while catching up over a pot of tea. As for equipment, you do not really need anything too fancy, just a large ceramic mixing bowl, a digital kitchen scale, some strong bread flour, and a cast-iron pot to bake the loaf in.
What makes it so enjoyable during terrible weather is the sensory experience and the cosy atmosphere it creates. The process of kneading the dough and waiting for it to prove forces you to slow down, which is a great antidote to a hectic week. Then, once the loaf goes into the oven, the whole flat fills with this incredible, comforting aroma that instantly makes the place feel warm and sheltered from the miserable wind and rain outside. Plus, at the end of it, you get a fresh, crusty loaf to enjoy with some butter. It just turns what would otherwise be a dreary, wasted day indoors into something deeply satisfying and productive.