Are you looking for some of my favorite things?
Probably not, but I’m going to put them here anyway. Enjoy!
Games are entirely subjective, but if you love cozy building, satisfying crafting loops, and a tiny splash of survival, you might find something new to play here.
Skyrim is one of my original obsessions/comfort games (The Sims was first). I remember playing Morrowind for hours on Xbox, then Oblivion, and later I specifically got a PlayStation to play Skyrim when it came out.
Other than Yoshi's Island on Super Nintendo, The Sims was my very first game obsession. I still have The Sims 4 and all the packs installed on my computer. I come back to it about once a year. EA sucks now and I am trying out Paralives as a replacement.
Palia is the game that got me back into PC gaming. I absolutely adore this game and it is absolutely free! I have over 500 hours into this game and, like the Sims, I find myself going back to it a lot. This is a cozy online MMO where you hunt, farm, build, and more.
The Planet Crafter hits on everything I love: it has crafting, building, an open world, survival, and a dedicated development team. I love this game and all of the DLCs that have come after. The developers answer questions, address bugs, and are very active.
I feel like at least a quarter of the world went through an Animal Crossing: New Horizons obsession during COVID lock down. I was one of it and it is still a game I love and look back fondly on. I plan to play the new one when it comes out.
Outbound is a game where you drive an RV through different landscapes, collecting supplies, and building a house on top of your RV. You also get a dog! Which is a super important addition. Very cute and cozy game.
Solarpunk is a cozy crafting/builder/survival game where you have to generate energy via solar power or wind power to get energy to run your home, farm, smelters, drones, etc. You also have an airship to explore floating islands!
Day of the Tentacle was a game I played so much on a friend's computer when I was ~10 years old. I never actually owned it until a few years ago when I found it on Steam. It carries so much nostalgia for me and even today, I still love the story.
House Flipper is exactly what it sounds like. You buy run down and dirty homes, clean, repair, and decorate them and then flip them for profit. You can even make one of them your home/office AND get a dog. You know I love a dog!
Retro Rewind is a simulator game where you run a 1990s style video rental store. Not only is it a ton of fun but it has a dedicated development team that is committed to adding content and addressing bugs.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is fun for fans of old school Disney. It has a lot of nostalgia with old characters. I have not played it as recently because they keep adding cash grabs but even still, the base game itself is fun and I enjoyed it.
You can't beat a good Jackbox Party Pack if you have friends and/or family to play with. I own all of the packs and each one is packed with super funny games that are great to play with a group.
I am not sponsored by any of these products, I just genuinely use and love them. That said, if an external link takes you to Amazon, I might get a microscopic commission from it that goes directly toward keeping this digital sandbox running
These are the best pens ever made. I will not be taking any further questions.
I know Litter Robots are the industry standard, but at ~$800+, I don't find it to be affordable. I've had the Neakasa M1 Plus for three years and a lot of cats and it works beautifully.
If you cross stitch, switching from a hoop to a square frame (brand name Q-Snap) is a game changer. I highly recommend it. I prefer this generic set. Then get a grime guard from the Crab Shack Stitchery. She makes the best ones!
I absolutely love Furls crochet hooks. They are way too much BUT the metal ones will last a lifetime, they are super comfortable to hold, and crochet like a dream. I am still building my collection because they are expensive but they are worth it.
A quick shout-out to the rare companies using their profits for actual good. No affiliate links here, just businesses that deserve to be noticed.
If you want high-quality spices backed by uncompromising activism, Penzeys is unmatched. They treat flavor and justice as a package deal, using their massive platform to speak out directly for equality, kindness, and democracy. They make no apologies for their political stances, and their seasonings genuinely make everything taste better.
Founded way back in 1790, this is America’s oldest flour company, but their business model is completely modern. They are 100% employee-owned, a certified B-Corp balancing profit with purpose, and loud, proud allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Their unbleached flours are legendary, and their entire philosophy is built around food justice and community.
The absolute holy grail for fiber artists and the place where I get all of my own crochet patterns (and even host a couple of my own!). It’s an massive, independent, community-driven database that connects millions of knitters and crocheters worldwide. If you are looking for independent designers to support, this is the center of the universe.
Ever since Joann went completely under and shut its doors, finding a dependable spot for essentials like DMC floss and Aida cloth has been a massive pain for the crafting community. 123Stitch is a reliable, family-owned-and-operated alternative. Their prices are great, their customer service is top-notch, and they ship remarkably fast.
If you ever have extra money to throw at a non-profit, I believe these causes are worth it.
The ACLU works to protect the fundamental rights of everyone in this country. From fighting for transgender justice and reproductive freedom to launching massive, nationwide election safeguarding initiatives to protect your right to vote, they are consistently on the front lines defending the people anti-democracy policymakers try to silence.
Being a young person is hard enough, but being an LGBTQ+ youth in a world full of targeted, hateful legislation is an entirely different level of survival. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide 24/7 confidential crisis counseling via phone, text, and chat, while actively fighting to create a safer, more compassionate world where queer kids can just exist.
The EJI is a powerhouse dedicated to ending mass incarceration, combating excessive punishment, and challenging racial and economic injustice. They provide direct legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in the prison system. Beyond the courtroom, they do incredible truth-telling work, including operating the Legacy Sites in Alabama.
Dealing with a child's life-threatening illness is a nightmare no family should ever have to face, let alone while worrying about how to pay for it. St. Jude is a world-class research hospital where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Because of their groundbreaking research, they’ve helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to over 80%.
Sir, this is a blog. Just some notes from the yard that remain proudly unfiltered, unmonetized, and completely unoptimized for search engines. Hand-crafted for an audience of one (me), but you’re welcome to look around.
© 2026 Kat Ohren. All rights reserved by the chickens, the crows, and the backyard weeds.
