5 Favorites for April 2025: Gripping, Healthy, Judgmental, Alien, and Flame-Broiled

“5 Favorites” is a recurring feature here at Pixelvania Publishing. On the last Friday of every month, I post 5 FAVORITE THINGS I’ve recently (or not-so-recently) enjoyed, in case you’re looking for something neat to experience. Visit the 5 Favorites archive for more recommendations.

🍄 📺️ Common Side Effects

Adult Swim medical thriller series, streaming on Max

(Not for kids.) I’m hooked on this show, about the discovery of a mushroom that can cure…well…EVERYTHING (death included!), and the lengths Big Pharma goes to keep it under wraps. It came across my radar in 2024 when the pilot premiered at one of the big nerd cons. Executive produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, of King of the Hill fame, it’s smart, funny, and SUSPENSEFUL, yikes!! Total appointment TV for me.

⏳️👍️ Tom’s Tstretch Timer

Tom Francis (creator of Tactical Breach Wizards and other games) made his own timer program to help with his RSI and shared it with the world! Make sure you take breaks!

⏳️😾 NeilCic’s Work Timer

On a related note, Neil Cicierega wrote a timer years ago that’s meant to shame you for goofing off on other programs when you ought to be working!

🥼 🎮️ Axiom Verge

2D Platformer Game

This 2015 game makes all the “Best 2D Platformer of All Time” lists, but I had never played it until recently. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it, but then I found a guide. Now that I didn’t feel so lost, the longer I played (especially wearing headphones—this soundtrack’s amazing!), the more I found myself enjoying it. The huge variety of weapons, really cool powers (phasing through walls!), and a fun grappling hook have all grown on me. The neon pulsating alien organ background aesthetic may not be for some, but it takes me back to RetroTimes™.

Axiom Verge was made by a single developer, Thomas Happ (who, granted, had professional experience in video game software, but still!). I’m always interested in how solo artists work, so I watched a documentary about how the game was made. It was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Even if you never play the game, I recommend you watch The Making Of Axiom Verge.

🥩 🔥How to Cook Flank Steak, by Wholesome Yum

Recipe

What a delicious, 4-ingredient marinade! We picked up a flank steak (I just typed “blank steak” whuttt?) and I had no idea how to cook it. My husband doesn’t like the flavor of balsamic vinegar, so I cruised around the ‘net looking for a good easy recipe and found this! Broiling it wasn’t difficult, either, but this recipe has two or three ways you can cook it, so have at it!

(If you never have lime juice on hand, do what I do—buy a few, juice ’em, then freeze them into ice cubes. Simply defrost the night before a recipe calls for ’em.)

5 Favorites for February 2025: Useful, Pizzariffic, Hilarious, Wiggly, and Non-Stick

“5 Favorites” is a recurring feature here at Pixelvania Publishing. On the last Friday of every month, I post 5 FAVORITE THINGS I’ve recently (or not-so-recently) enjoyed, in case you’re looking for something neat to experience. Visit the 5 Favorites archive for more recommendations.

🥣 Bowl Cozies

by AJoyfulThread on Etsy

I can’t believe I haven’t recommended these before! If you like microwaving food without your fingerprints melting off when you touch the forge-hot bowl, you should consider getting a set or two of these! These bowl cozies come in a variety of fabric patterns, wash up beautifully, and are just QUALITY, man.

🫘 The Best Vegan Cannellini Beans Recipe (Aka Pizza Beans)

Recipe

Uhhhhhhhhhh I was AMAZED by the flavor of this when I first made it. And the beans make it really hearty and comforting. Great for a winter night when you want pizza but pizza isn’t in your dietary cards!

🤣 ▶️ Stand-up Comedian John Pinette

Classic Standup videos

Mr. Pinette blessed us with loads of great comedy, but the 2-minute clip linked above should give you a good idea of what to expect (mild language warning for the name of the mountain). John has been in Heaven for some time now, but many of his full-length specials are all over YouTube and are wonderful watches.

😻🪱 Mr. Wiggler fuzzy cat lure

Cat toy (For use with a rod that has a clip. This one is springy  and the one that comes with this toy is also great.)

We added 3 new feline additions to our home, including an 8-month-old attack kitten named Biscuit. He loves these li’l fuzzy worms. I like that they attach via clip a long cat rod, which keep my extremities safe. Plus, it’s easy to make the worm “crawl” and jump and I think he really likes how much like real prey it is.

🧁 Silicone Muffin Pan with Metal Frame

Cooking tool

For baking egg cups like this and this  (I mix both recipes, and add in some egg whites with the egg to lessen the calories).
When I first made these, I used regular paper cupcake liners to line the cups.

*BZZT!* WRONG!! 🙅‍♀️ They stuck to the mixture and when I managed to finally peel it off, the paper took half the breakfast with it! So I switched over to this silicone muffin pan with metal frame. I know you can get ’em all silicone, but…Idunno, that just didn’t seem sturdy enough. The frame eases my mind when pulling these out of the oven and my egg cups don’t stick AT ALL. (If you find one made in the USA, let me know, though! That’d make this type product aces in my book!)

That’s all for this month!

For photos of the new kitties, visit this month’s PIXELVANIA PROCLAMATION O’ PROGRESS.

5 Favorites for November 2024: Creepy, fragrant, dumb, and useful!

“5 Favorites” is a recurring feature here at Pixelvania Publishing. On the last Friday of every month, I post 5 FAVORITE THINGS I’ve recently (or not-so-recently) enjoyed or used, in case you’re looking for something neat to experience.

👻 ⌨️ Blood Typers Demo

Typing horror game

If you loved THE TYPING OF THE DEAD, Epistory: Typing Chronicles, THE TEXTORCIST or any other typing games, you’ll want to try this demo, for sure! Left and right shifts turn you, typing random words littered about the scene make your character walk there, and hitting “tab” puts you into combat mode to attack freaky enemies! The environments are really moody and mysterious so far. I enjoyed my time in the demo and thought you’d wanna know.

▶️ Jose Briones – Dumbphone Reviews

YouTube channel (and helpful website, too! )

My ancient, ruggedized Kyocera is showing its age a little these days. Looking for dumbphone reviews, I discovered this great channel. No baloney, straight to the point, nothing fancy. There are a LOT of dumbphones out there and this channel and the accompanying site have been really helpful. If you need to digitally detox from the slot machine in your pocket, this is a TREASURE TROVE of info. (Also, did you know there are things called kosher phones??)

🚾🐈️🐾👃 “Smell Ya Litter” Odor Eliminator

Litter box smell treatment by Poo-Pourii

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve got litter boxes in the house. If you have litter boxes in the house, sometimes one of your dear sweet feline friends commits an unspeakable hate crime in one of said boxes. I used to use Way of Cats’ Littermint (which was a terrific, all-natural product made of dried herbs) to destinkify–but when Pammy sadly discontinued the product, I began looking for other solutions.

I’ve been pretty happy with this Smell Ya Litter spray. I usually spray it over the box a couple times over the boxes each time I scoop, or (frantically) right after Pixel has left behind one of his more rancid, gag-worthy bombs.

They also make other products for dogs and cats, under the “Pet-Pourri” section.

🗑️ The Garbage Gripper

Surprisingly useful giant rubber band

We got this at Ace Hardware on a whim, but I’m glad we did because it keeps our garbage sacks held in place! You can tie a knot in it if the grip needs to be tighter.

🕰️📱 Repeat Alarm

Like a grandfather clock, but it’s an app for your Android device and customizable for more than one thing

I’ve been trying to get into the habit of moving every hour. I wanted something that would chime on the hour, like a grandfather clock. But setting up an hourly alarm on my tablet was a pain.
This app made it easy. Now my tablet plays a 15-second boogalicious dance tune every hour on the hour between 11AM and 8PM (because I hate it when grandfather clocks go crazy at midnight). You can customize the alarm sound(s), how long it plays, and the range of hours the alarm should go off. It’s really handy, I’m happy I found it!

 

5 Favorites for October 2024: Spooky, helpful, fashionable, and funny

“5 Favorites” is a recurring feature here at Pixelvania Publishing. On the last Friday of every month, I post 5 FAVORITE THINGS I’ve recently (or not-so-recently) enjoyed, in case you’re looking for something neat to experience.

🎃 🎧️ Theme to The Substance

Instrumental song by Raffertie

SiriusXM channel “Cinemagic” (featuring movie scores) did a show called “Cinemagic’s Sounds of Horror”. During the show, this techno-heavy little ditty came on and I liked it. It’s not as intense as the ANGER FOOT medley, but still pretty toe-tappin’. (Other good tracks from the beginning of that show: “Hypnosis” (by Michael Abels) from GET OUT and “Le Monde” (by Richard Carter) from TALK TO ME.

⏲️ Visual Timer – Countdown

Free Android Countdown App, programmed by Christoph Wiesner

Back when I taught reading skills to children for a private company, we used to have visual timers. Visual timers are little boxes where, when you set the time, a colorful shape fills the clock-circle and gradually disappears as the time passes (here’s an example). I always thought it was a great way to track time elapsed at-a-glance. Something about having a shrinking shape is different than just watching numerals count down.

I’m currently back teaching piano lessons, so I thought I’d get a digital visual timer–a very simple one–to help both me and my students keep track of where we are in lessons. When I used it, I turn off the option to display numerals; we just see the shape shrinking.

This app doesn’t have ads (though you can donate to the dev) and is elegant to use. It doesn’t collect or share data with third parties–a big plus in my book.

🎨 Debt-Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing: The Affordable Way to Learn Professional Skills

Instructional art book by Marco Bucci

I have learned a lot over the years watching Maro Bucci’s YouTube art tutorials, so pre-ordering his new instructional book was a no-brainer. He teaches in a very friendly, digestible way. And the concepts he teaches have MASSIVE impact as you put them into practice. I’m looking forward to my copy arriving in November! If you’re an artist (or are maybe looking for a gift for an artist?), I strongly recommend checking out this book!

👕 Amoretu Women’s V Neck T Shirts Slim Fitted Half Sleeve Top

Women’s Shirt

Am I the only gal who loves shirts with half sleeves? 3/4 length sleeves don’t feel flattering on me. And while there’s nothing wrong with a regular sleeve on a T-shirt, when I’m wearing half-sleeves, I feel really put together.
Anyway, I bought one of these and am pleased so far with the quality and fit. I got a few colors. I don’t recommend their “Peacock Blue” color; in person, it’s Worn Doctor’s Office Chair Blue. But I think that purple is going to be surprisingly versatile.

🤓 Geek Universe

Funny memes

An offshoot of the legendary I Can Has Cheezburger site, Geek Universe focuses more on various fandoms and other nerdery, like Lord of the Rings and ’90s stuff. I like to scroll through it before bed at night. Love the Dungeons and Dragons themed lists!

See you in November!

 

5 Favorites for July 2024: Music, Memories, Mods, and Mews

“5 Favorites” is a recurring feature here at Pixelvania Publishing. On the last Friday of every month, I’ll be posting 5 FAVORITE THINGS I’ve recently (or not-so-recently) enjoyed, in case you’re looking for something neat to experience.

📻 🧚‍♀️ BOOK OF HOURS: Original Soundtrack

(Free listen on YouTube. Like it? Purchase your own copy via Steam.)

Do you need to disappear to a magical world that sounds like nature still has fairies hiding in the shadows of the green leaves? Then try out this soundtrack to a game I bounced really hard off of 🙃. Very elegant, New Age-y sound. If you like the soundtrack to any of the MYST games or if you enjoy listening to the Mediaeval Baebes, you’re gonna ADORE this.

🖼️ Memories of Ed Benedict

(Article.)

In preparation for creating new covers for the FASHION FRENCHIES series, I’m studying the artwork of Ed Benedict, who designed the titles to BEWITCHED and like, every classic Hanna-Barbera character outside of SCOOBY DOO!. While researching, I stumbled upon this article by the creator of JOHNNY BRAVO, Van Partible, reflecting on his time with the artist.

🎮 Slay the Spire: DOWNFALL

(Mod. Downloads and installs through the Steam workshop. Requires Slay the Spire game to play.)

If you already own SLAY THE SPIRE (and maybe like me have almost 500 hours logged 🫠), you owe it to yourself to try this expansion. I recently beat the Heart with all the official characters, and have been slowly working my way through Ascensions as the Silent…but this expansion has made me fall in love with this game all over again, with new fresh characters and mechanics.
Bonus link: you might also like the PACKMASTER mod, which integrates nicely with DOWNFALL.

▶️ Overly Dramatic Kitten

(YouTube vid, 5 seconds long)

I can’t stop watching this, so now you must know about it.

▶️ HONK

(YouTube vid, less than 5 seconds)

I giggle every time.

I post the Proclamation o’ Progress next month, so check back soon! 🙂

SANTA, INC is a dumpster fire. Here are 5 lesser-known Christmas stories for adults that actually celebrate Christmas.

With all the negative audience reaction towards that scrooge of a “””Christmas””” show SANTA, INC., I thought I’d post a few of my favorite, obscurer Christmas shows/books/games that my husband and I enjoy. Nothing edgy here, but these shows/books have a more adult sensibility to them than some other Christmas specials.

If you’ve enjoyed any of these specials, games, or books before, feel free to reminisce in the comments section!


OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER screenshotOLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER

Executive-produced by Simpsons-legend Matt Groening, this TV special (based on the children’s picture book) about a dog who thinks Santa wants her to fill in for an injured reindeer is full of dry and witty jokes that fly fast and furious. Also, it has a bar brawl.
Drew Barrymore’s endearing here as upbeat and optimistic Olive. And if you like FUTURAMA you’ll hear a lot of familiar voices in the supporting cast. I’m partial to worldly con-artist Martini the Penguin, however!

Purchasable through Amazon.


PREP AND LANDING promotional imagePREP AND LANDING

My family watches this EVERY Christmas! It’s a Pixelvania tradition!
With 2 half-hour specials, an even shorter short film, there’s plenty to enjoy from this world of high-tech elves on Christmas night. (Think of the beginning of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, but zoomed in to just the elves’ point of view.)
Like so many things made during the golden age of Pixar, it addresses adult concerns (feeling tired of Christmas, feeling unappreciated) in an entertaining way and is chock full of great jokes and sight gags that reward repeat viewing.

Currently streaming on Disney Plus.


KLAUS promotional imageKLAUS

While not perfect, as a 2D animation nut, I adore what they’ve done with the art form. And watching cynical Jesper change his ways is oh-so-satisfying. I seem to recall the townsfolk having a little bit of a Tim Burton vibe, too (I don’t have Netflix)

Currently streaming on Netflix.


Title screen for DRACULA CHA CHADRACULA CHA CHA and SKEAL

Playing these two short, ridiculous, off-the-wall indie Christmas games is another Pixelvania Christmas tradition!

Here’s a touch more info on the winter-wonderland catchy-music single-button platformer(?!) that is DRACULA CHA CHA here on Rock, Paper, Shotgun.

But I refuse to tell you anything about SKEAL because it is so short and the gag is so amazing.
Game page and browser version here.


A GINGERSNAP CAT CHRISTMAS Book Cover: A ginger cat with a halo smiles at a terrified black and grey kitten hiding behind him.A GINGERSNAP CAT CHRISTMAS

I wrote a Christian Christmas book that’s basically HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN with kitties as the angels. While the focus is on the kitties winning over the kids, the kids themselves are dealing with a family member permanently altered from an accident, and their mom has housing and job worries during Christmas.

Ebook available here.

Paperback on Amazon.


That’s all for now! Thanks for reading!

The Pixelvania Publishing Proclamation of Progress, August 2021 Edition

The Pixelvania Publishing Proclamation o’ Progress is a semiannual post detailing what’s going on around here, and what might show up in the future. It also includes reviews of shows, books, games, products, etc. you may also like. It’s only posted twice a year so as not to clog up your valuable, beautiful brain space.

Cute kitty photo at the end.

Recap

Here’s what’s been published since the last post:

Coming Soon

Read More …