Recent Discussions
MEGA THREAD: Promote your Sims YouTube or Sims Twitch Channel and discover others
Sul sul, o/ We noticed Simmers were creating a lot of threads to find or share your Sims Youtube and Twitch channels. So what we've done is merged those threads together to create this MEGA THREAD!!! :D Please use this thread going forward and have fun discovering others channels as well as promoting your own ^^ Guidelines for this thread: The Forum rules apply so we'd ask folks to double check their channel content is forum appropriate i.e. it must hold up against the rules in this forum. Please only share the YouTube or Twitch channels you create and/or stream Sims content on :) Hot Tip: Linking to your stream/video will make it easier for people to find and enjoy your content. Drop one in your post ^^ We'd ask that you limit sharing your channel to once per stream/video. Spamming isn't cool or fair to others. See something you like? Let those content creators know ^^ You can hit that Promote, Insightful, Like or Awesome button or even quote them and reply with a nice message. Let's be each other's biggest fans. :D That's all folks ^^ Now let the sharing begin!!
Share Your Newest The Sims 4 Creations Here!
I thought I would add this spot to The Sims 4 Lots and Sims 4 related items! We have one kinda like this set up for The Sims 3 that SimGuruHydra set up for us! It is simply a place to showcase your newest TS4 creations!! So please share in this thread all your newest creations for The Sims 4!! I thought it would make it easy for everyone to see what everyone is creating in The Sims 4!! Please don't forget to add your Hashtags, your EA App ID, & Download Links, so people can find you and your builds/creations in the Gallery!! Please Feel Free to Share all your Sims Creations here, Rooms, & Sims also!!! We would love to see all of your wonderful creations!! Start the Sharing Please!!!
SIMS 4 CHALLENGE LIST (Updated May 24, 2021)
The purpose of this thread is to create a current list of all available challenges for The Sims 4. This includes Legacy and many other type challenges. There have been other threads in the past, but they haven't been updated in at least a year, so here's a new one that will be much more up to date. Please feel free to add any new challenges in the comments! Any thoughts on how you would like to see this list formatted are welcome. Thank you to @Nicarra60 for all the work you put into the original post. I have organized the challenges below by "types" of challenge. Links to find each type are here: Legacy Challenges Toddler Challenges (Under Legacies) Gameplay / Story Based Challenges Building Challenges Sim Creation/CAS Challenges Rotation / Multi-Household Play Challenges Selection / Contestant Challenges Pets / Animals Challenges Holiday / Special Event Challenges Exploration / Scavenger Hunt Challenges TV / Movie Fan Based Challenges HOW TO SUBMIT A CHALLENGE 1. To submit a challenge to be added to the list, please include the challenge name and a working link for full challenge rules. 2. Challenges submitted MUST have their own forum thread or blog/website post for rules. Any challenges posted with rules within this thread will NOT be added to the list. 3. Read below for tips on creating a new challenge. 4. Feel free to ask any questions you may have! Here are some excellent tips when creating a new challenge, written by @EuphorialQueen: When I am reading thru a new challenge suggestion I look for a few key items: What is the story behind the challenge? Tell me something to make me interested in reading more about the challenge. Is it based on another existing challenge? Is it a complete challenge with a beginning, middle and end? How do I start, how do I play and what is the ultimate goal or how do I 'win'? Do the rules or guidelines seem reasonable and can goals set by the challenge actually be achieved? Has the person posting the challenge play tested it? By posting a challenge on a blog or in the forums it is much easier to discuss and ask questions. When updating a challenge or change the guidelines just edit the thread where it is posted. Starting too many threads on the same challenge or subject only adds to confusion and leads to information being lost. These are only suggestions and offer a view of how I - as one person - review challenges. Thank you for your time. Edit: Use spell check and complete words to make reading your post more pleasant and easier to understand. Want to write stories about the challenges you play? Here is an excellent guide to SimLit by @Julyvee94 http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/884045/a-quick-guide-to-simlit/p1 Want to submit stories you have written for others to read? Check out this awesome archive by @mastressalita http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/861629/the-stories-and-legacies-index-submit-your-stories/p1
Build-n-Share #194 **Summer Designer Showdown** Due July 31, 2025
Welcome to BNS 194: Summer Designer Showdown! “Flavors of the World” – A Multicultural Festival This month, we’re celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our Sims’ world! Your challenge is to design a multicultural summer festival—a vibrant outdoor space where Sims from all walks of life can gather, eat, dance, and connect. The Brief: Budget: None this time Lot size: 20x20 or larger. Minimum of 4 food and drink kiosks or stalls (Use any combination of in-game or cc stalls, food carts, or vendor tables. Group them by region, theme them by color, or scatter them organically—your choice!) Outdoor eating area Must include seating for at least 8 Sims and some form of shade (umbrellas, pergolas, tents, etc.) Public restrooms These can be standalone or part of a larger structure, but they must be accessible from the festival grounds. Use any world or season. Add stages, splash pads, murals, or anything else that brings your festival to life. No indoor residential spaces (this is a public venue!) Don't leave the lot mostly empty. Optional: Share the in-universe story behind your festival. Who organized the festival? Is it a long-standing community tradition or a brand-new initiative? Are there any simmering rivalries between food vendors? Did someone forget to book the mariachi band? Optional Features (for extra flair): A performance space (stage, dance floor, or busking area) Cultural decor or themed zones (e.g., lanterns, papel picado, flags, murals) A kids’ activity area (playground, splash pad, or crafts) Custom signage or banners to name your festival. The Sim Challenge: None this time. The Room Challenge: None this time. Remember to include the hashtag #bns194 with your build so it can be found. Entries are due by Thursday, July 31st, 23:5:59 New York Time/EDT Patch Day Notice – July 1 Please note that a game patch is scheduled for today. If it causes significant mod or build issues, we’ll allow extra time for entries as needed. Build at your own pace—we’ll be here all month! BUILD OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM CHALLENGE #194 - Summer Designer Showdown FORUM ID: ORIGIN ID: NEW LOT LINK: LOT COST: GALLERY COST: TOTAL COST: (Lot cost plus gallery cost) LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW: ENTRY DETAILS: (Tell us about your lot.) CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS: SPACE FOR PICTURES:(No more than 2 please) Facebook: (optional, makes it easier to tag you.) Twitter: (Optional, makes it easier to tag you.) SIM ENTRY FORM CHALLENGE #193 - Echoes of the Islands FORUM ID: ORIGIN ID: HOUSEHOLD: LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW ENTRY DETAILS: CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS: SPACE FOR PICTURES: (No more than 2 please) Facebook: (optional, makes it easier to tag you.) Twitter: (Optional, makes it easier to tag you.) ROOM ENTRY FORM CHALLENGE #193 - Echoes of the Islands FORUM ID: ORIGIN ID: ROOM: (Link to where the room can be found on The Gallery) GALLERY COST: LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW: ENTRY DETAILS: CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS: SPACE FOR PICTURES:
Strangerville: Shadows in the Dust | A Manicpot8to LP
Something's off in strangerville, but no one's saying it out loud. The air buzzes with secrets, the neighbors act strange, and the military presence is just a little too strong for a sleepy desert town. This story follows three threads converging: A secretive base with an agenda no one's willing to explain. Gloria, a newcomer with nothing left to lose and a knack for noticing what others ignore. And Bo, a loner who came to find the truth while hiding a secret of her own. Each character is drawn here for different reasons. Some came seeking answers. Others? Planned only to pass through. But no matter the reason, they all stay... because something won't let them leave. All this unfolds across my custom Strangerville builds, and each update will reveal more of the mystery. Feel free to follow along, and I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and theories! Next up: Meet the residents. Not all of them are what they seem. Roll Call Episode One: Not just the oven Episode Two: She was "fine" Episode Three: The edge of recall
💜 Quick Creativity CAS Challenge 💜 GLovelysQCC
Hi lovely friends! I'm rolling out this quick creativity challenge today April 3, 2020 in an effort to give you more exciting things to do as we all #StayAtHome in the weeks ahead. The main goal of this challenge is to design and upload original creations quickly and on weekends only. The focus of these creativity challenges is to grow your CAS skills since that's the creative section I'm most passionate about in The Sims. However, I may choose to challenge you on rooms and builds too as the challenge continues. The rules and creative direction will be posted here each Friday. Create and upload your entry to the gallery beginning each Friday after the new direction/rules post through 11:00PM MST Monday using the hashtag #GLovelysQCC I love to make Maxis nominations so this challenge will help me find some fantastic things created by you much more easily to share in the nominations threads. It would be very helpful for you to review this link on how Maxis chooses creations to fave before you share your entries. https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/955438/how-do-we-choose-our-maxis-faves-curation-guide#latest Randomly I will invite a group of talented creators to judge all of the entries during prize rounds. Prizes will consist of The Sims 4 Expansions, Game or Stuff packs as I choose. I will let you know each Friday when I post the creative directions if that weekend will be a judging weekend prize round. In addition, please feel free to share your creations here in the form of screenshots (limit 3), description and gallery links weekend after weekend. I'd love to see this thread filled with your Sims creativity! Also, please share your creations on other platforms too like #Twitter or #Instagram. If you do, please tag me so I can see ;) Thanks for taking the time to read this thread! I'm so excited to roll out these quick creativity challenges each weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing all the fabulous creations you share with me! FIRST WEEKEND KICK-OFF -- PRIZE ROUND! Creative Direction & Rules: We've all been quarantined at home for various amounts of time now. For this first QCC please create one original family household that resembles your own family household. You can make simselves but that is not a requirement. You may include pets if you have them in your home. In your description please briefly describe your family and share with us what your family is doing to pass the time as we stay home. Do you craft? Write? Game? Read? Bake? Have you reorganized your home? Please share tips and optimism in your description. Be sure to include the hashtag #GLovelysQCC in your description before you upload to the gallery. Design every outfit category for every sim in the household Give at least 1 family member the "family oriented" trait Write your creation description according to the above guide NoCC and no defaults (defaults replace the original Maxis skin/eyes but are not officially tagged as CC) Only Maxis poses Reuploaded/Copied creations will be disqualified Have a blast creating for us! This is a prize round so the winner will be chosen by a panel of active gallery sim creators. Winner will receive their choice of either the City Living EP OR the Get Together EP game code redeemable on Origin for PC. (If you have these EP's already and you win you may choose an alternate.) Stay safe at home and happy simming always lovelies! 💜
👽 Miller Legacy 🛸
Sul sul fellow simmers! The Miller Legacy is my first Legacy Challenge and the way I found to explore the (for me) new The Sims 4 game in the moment I decided to buy it. It's the translation of what I originally posted in Italian here, and the new chapters are being posted on my blog here. I'd also like to point out that this legacy is currently being shared also on the parallel Sim Creative forum. This small forum has practically the same template as the old one and is not buggy, making it a very cozy place where to share the old conversations we used to have in the former Creative corner. I suggest you to give it a look! ;) Back to the introduction, with this legacy I'm basically novelizing what happens when I'm playing my game, introducing as many mysteries and issues to overcome for my sims as I can. For sure, the Miller's are not a family like the others. I'm not a fan of too strict gaming rules, thus my main rule is just: "reach generation 10 without cheating". This legacy is definitively more story-driven than rules-driven. So I'm not taking track of points in any way, often instead of choosing traits or careers randomly I choose what I think would be funnier for me to play or better for the story progression, I often move the family to new houses (not built by me because I'm a horrible builder) and so forth. In particular, I'm taking a lot of freedom about a certain cat, but also in that case I found a way for doing it without technically being cheating. As for the heir, I don't follow a strict rule but just choose the one for which I can imagine the best character development and who can give more in terms of story progression. The only rule I'm following in that sense is that I want every heir to be the biological child of the previous heir, because I'm curious to see how the genetics algorithm in TS4 work over a 10 generations span (consider this as a small experiment :P ). The full story index (beware, it's long!) can be found HERE. I'm closing this premise here because I don't want to spoil the story, so I wish you a pleasant reading through the most mysterious sides of this game ;)
Spooky Season Chats🍂
SPOOKY SIMMERS SEASON: Just a cute discussion for all the spooky simmers who cannot wait til the leaves are orange, decorations are out and the spooky season has begun!!! 👻 I built this cute cottage on the gallery for your creations!! It is under #shandylou97 or on my account but please feel free to share your spooky sims,builds and stories below because if you can't tell I LOVE ANYTHING Spooky, Halloween, Autumnal or seasonal!!! 🍂 #spookyseason #spooky #seasonal #autumnm shandy_lou97
The Whittaker Saga - 1970s (updated 07/05)
I was vastly inspired when reading the decades challenge, and as a history teacher, I could not stop myself from giving it a try. Of course, true to my nature or refusing to do things by the book, the first thing I did was break the rules. How? By creating as my protagonist a single, working woman living on her own! Gasp! Why? Partly because a story popped into my head, but also, partly, to honor the many women who - by choice or necessity - actually worked, and worked hard for their living in the 1890s. We tend to forget them, but the working women were there - from the hard working farmers that we often downgrade by calling wives, as if they weren't an essential part of the economy of the farm, to the working class women working as domestic help or in the factories where they were only payed half of a man's wages. So with that, I introduce Abigail Spencer, a single, working, middle class woman in 1890s Willow Creek: As middle class there is only a few jobs available to Abigail, that of governess or that of teacher. Abigail is therefore a teacher, teaching at Willow Creek Elementary School. She lives right next door to the school, in a small shotgun house with a few chickens and a patch of land to help her make ends meet (teachers really were not payed a lot during this time either). Obviously, her biggest goal in life is to find a husband, get married and start a family so that she won't have to work. (In fact, a teacher, as well as many other working women, automatically lost their job if they got married during this time.) But to get married, she needs to find a husband. Meet Willow Creek's eligible bachelors: Matthew Godeau: Matthew is one of the richest men in Willow Creek. A bit too old to still be a bachelor he lives with his widowed mother in Ophelia house (yes, eventually this family changed their names and became the Goths. Ophelia house is named from Matthew's mother). Pro: Matthew is creative, just like Abigail, as well as a romantic and would be sure to bestow lots of attention on a wife. He lives in one of the biggest houses in town, and is a wealthy business man. Abigail would have a good life with him. Con: His mother. Ophelia is a woman set in her own ways and she is not about to let some silly girl interfere with how she runs her house! Ophelia is mean, materialistic and an overachiever. She is not likely to see some middle class teacher as good enough for her son. Add that she has raised her son to be not only creative and romantic, but also incredibly self absorbed and the household may prove hard to be comfortable with. Joseph Whittaker: Joseph is a novellist, living in the stately Whittaker house, which with time, will be turned into the well renowned Willow Creek Archive. He has no mother (a definite pro), but two very young children. A son and a daughter, from a previous marriage. Pro: Joseph is a bookworm, just like Abigail and is sure look favourably on her past as a teacher. They are also both family orientated which means they are a good match in personalities and would likely find a lot of common ground. The house is ripe with books, and Joseph's two motherless children desperately need a mother to tend to their needs. With two live in maids it's a comfortable life focused on the family and the books she so loves. Con: Joseph very much mourns his dead wife, and keeps her picture on the wall over the fireplace. Can he ever truly love again, or will Abigail forever live in the shadow of the woman he loved and lost? Loyd Brennan: Loyd is the owner of Brennan's Groceries and Dry Goods, the biggest (only) shop in town. He lives with his sister Mary and their dachshund above the store. Pro: Loyd is outgoing and friendly and easy to get along with. He's self assured, but unlike Matthew, not self absorbed. He works hard and provides a good home. As a working man he does not mind a working wife, so Abigail would do more than sit around being pretty. He loves dogs, and anyone who does cannot be bad - right? Con: Living in a store would mean working in the store. There is no way the wife of a store owner is not in that store working along side her husband. Without money for a maid, this involves not just working in the store but running the household as well. The apartment isn't really big enough for a large family and unless Mary gets married, it's bound to be crowded. Then there is the fact that she and Mary does not really get along well. Paul Heydale: Paul is a farmer, living with his entire family at Garden Essence, a farm with a cow, chickens and a whole lot of crops. They're a tight knit family who works hard for what they have. Pros: Paul, like Abigail is both creative and family orientated. He dreams of becoming a painter rather than a farmer. By marrying him, Abigail would be wrapped up in a large family who would be there for her, something she'd never had before. His family is also very friendly, and Abigail teachers his younger sister and has already met and chatted with his mother and father and really likes the entire family. Con: Marrying a farmer would be a step down the social ladder, and the life of a farmer is hard! Is Abigail cut out for working out from early morning to late evening without ever more than making ends meet? And the house is crowded as is, with Paul's parents and two younger siblings (so far). Where would more children live? Is Abigail prepared for the hard life that accompanies this choice? Now I wanted to make a poll, but apparently you cannot do this in this section of the forums. So I'll leave you with a question instead - who do you believe Abigail will most likely fall in love with and why? Matthew Joseph Loyd Paul Finally, here is my Willow Creek in 1890: *** An important note about the future postings in this story: After trying and fighting the forum to get the posts up and running as they are supposed to work, I have now decided that it's simply too much work. Instead, I have started a blog that (hopefully soon) will contain all of the chapters from here and the old forum. I am currently at 1891 and moving forwards quite rapidly. Here the posts of each chapter will be replaced by a link to the chapters in the blog as I move forwards, though I will leave any comments as they are. The massive perk with this is that I do not need to worry about editing in all images manually, and the loading time will decrease enormously without them. The process of reading is also easier at the blog - and while the blog itself is in the wrong order, I have set up a list of all chapters in chronological order for new readers as well as a search function if you are looking for a specific chapter. Another perk is that I have some new options, like character pages where you can get a summary of each of the main character in the story (warnings for spoilers) and a separate page about the challenge, how time moves. I hope I will be able include a link to the family tree as well. It will take some time to get everything set up, and I do appreciate input in the process. I do promise that the story will go on, and hope you will keep reading it and commenting on it either here or on the new blog. Link to the blog.
Ugly To Beauty Challenge.
For this challenge, you will need cheats, (Testingcheats on,) and (cas.fulleditmode,) Testingcheats on will enable cheats, and cas.fulleditmode will allow you to fully edit your sims. Mods and custom content are allowed. Stuff packs/expansion packs are allowed, too. Rules: - You have to complete 1 challenge a day. - You have to complete the challenge before 11:59 PM. - You can start a challenge at 12:01 AM. - House can be of whatever size. - 2 sims in household, only. - Ugly sim has to have 3 negative traits. - Beautiful sim has to have 3 positive traits. Minor or major: When you complete a challenge, edit the ugly sim and change facial, body or outfit changes. The ugly sim has to be in the worst possible clothing, (I recommend the clown outfit with the goofy shoes,) and have a big body and horrible facial features, (etc, huge bent nose, folded out ears, small pupils,) and a bad personality overall. If you don't complete a challenge, a penalty comes. All challenges vary in difficulty, and the results can be minor or major. Minor - Change something minor in the ugly sim, (etc, get rid of face paint, change voice slightly, wear different shoes for formal.) Major - Change something major in the ugly sim, (etc, change nose slightly, change voice, change bottoms for partywear, change 1 trait.) Minor cannot change facial features. *ONLY THE UGLY SIM CAN DO THE CHALLENGES.* CHALLENGES: Day 1: Bake two cakes - minor. PENALTY IF FAIL: Take away bed and couch for the night. Day 2: Read 3 books - minor. PENALTY IF FAIL: No food for 12 hours. Day 3: Win 2 games of chess - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: Become enemies with beautiful sim. Day 4: Break something - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: Get rid of the shower for 2 days. Day 5: Grill something and leave it for an hour unattended without it catching on fire - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: No stove for a week. Day 6: Paint 7 large paintings - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: No entertainment for 3 days. Day 7: Become friends with a stranger - minor. PENALTY IF FAIL: No toilet for 6 hours. Day 8: Brush your teeth 15 times - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: Sell all sinks for a week. Day 9: Flirt with beautiful sim 3 times - minor. (If unsuccessful,): No TV for a week. Day 10: Reach logic skill level 3 - major. PENALTY IF FAIL: Trap sim for 10 hours. If anyone knows anymore challenges or penalties, then please tell me. Thank you for viewing this challenge!! :)
Cantrell: The Middle Years
The Musical Notes of My Life, a Cantrell: The Middle Years, Update-1 Just as Summer was loath to relinquish its grip, to Fall, Fall was also exerting its will. Erik discovered this as he stepped outside to collect some eggs from the coop. The day was bright and sunny. The unusual warmth struck his cheeks, first, as he crossed the expansive yard. Reaching into the Crackerbox Palace, he was at once rewarded with a handful of eggs. Doing a quick check, he left the two hatchables and took the other six with him inside. “Good morning, love of my life,” he greeted Kayleigh, who stood in the kitchen beaming at him, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. “It’s warmer out there than usual,” he nodded his head toward the back door. “According to the calendar, we have Thanksgiving to go and then the first day of Winter will be upon us. And still no rain.” “This ongoing drought is resembling California. I fear we’ll all fry to death.” Erik busily cracked a few eggs and commenced scrambling them in a bowl. “Not going to happen,” he said. “This will break, hopefully sooner than later.” “My husband, the eternal Optimist.” She raised her mug as if to toast him. “Would you have me any other way?” He winked, a slow grin warming his features. “Uh-uh,” she said through her sip. “Shall I pour you a cup?” “Thanks,” he said, putting his attention on fixing breakfast for his family. “Are the boys up, yet? They need a good meal in them before they head out to school. They’ve been a tad sluggish, lately.” “They used to be such early-risers, too,” Kayleigh sighed. “Now they seem to be less so.” “I do know that they both suffer from untamed creativity,” Erik said, as he slipped pieces of bread into the toaster and turned it on. “They see monsters under their beds.” “I guess it’s hard to be energetic when a rude bunkmate keeps you up half the night. I’ll just go see.” Kayleigh set her mug on the kitchen island. “You know,” Erik turned to watch her leave, “I bought that Award-Winning, Sure-Fire, Super-Duper Monster Eliminator Spray. I even make a huge production of a speech to expel the beast as suggested on the label. I know it’s nothing but a psychological trick, but what do you do when it doesn’t work? I am at my wits’ end. They need their sleep.” “And we installed those special lamps, too. I feel your frustration. If they’re not up yet, I’ll sic Melodie on them, she’s always up this early. She loves to run and pounce.” With that, Kayleigh took the Maid’s entrance to the stairs, a small alcove that let out onto the stairs’ landing from the kitchen. While Kayleigh was upstairs, Erik made certain the eggs were cooked just right. He recalled how as infants and then toddlers, the twins were very clear on their preferences. He then cooked up a few strips of bacon and caught the now toasted bread that launched itself from the appliance. He quickly slathered it while it was hot so the butter would melt, the way his kids liked it. Just as the twins reached the kitchen, breakfast was ready. “Come one, come all, before it’s gone!” Erik teased with a wide grin. He didn’t mean to set his little girl into a panic, and was instantly chastised, by her actions. The boys scampered to the kitchen counter, each grabbing a plate, while little Melodie did her best to squeeze in. “Hey, I eat, too. Leave some for me,” she ordered, wagging a chubby index finger at the boys. Erik gazed down at his tiny daughter. “I promise, there’s enough to go around. Daddy was just playing. I made plenty. Say grace before you dig in,” he reminded them. With full tummies, the twins headed out the door for school. Erik popped out for a photoshoot and then a concert. He had just enough time afterward to stop by Taygeta Studios to lay down enough tracks for yet another album. “Hey, it’s been a while,” Randy said. “Yeah, I know. The boys are in school this season. Trying to balance it all.” “No, excuses necessary. You’re the artist. Just glad to see you, is all.” Monday turned into Tuesday. Erik sent out invitations before his family found themselves celebrating the upcoming holiday without him. Come Wednesday, he helped Kayleigh get the decorations into place and both long tables set. Then he went about planning his menu. This gave him a great deal of pleasure, being in control of his kitchen. Kayleigh was a wonderful cook in her own right, but sometimes, she failed to plan ahead. For instance, Erik decided to bake the pies for their dessert the night before, to guard against any mishaps. That way, he still had time to make sure he had enough dessert for this huge crowd he called family. While Erik baked his heart out, Kayleigh oversaw homework and bathing the wee girls. She came downstairs after all four were tucked into bed for the night. “All quiet on the Home Front?” Kayleigh saluted him, playfully, “All quiet, sir. At least for now. Oh, and while you’re in planning mode, don’t forget Harmony’s birthday is coming up right after Thanksgiving.” “Thanks, got that covered,” he smiled, kissing her on the forehead. *~~*~~*~~*~~* Early on Thursday morning, Erik began to put his marinade together for the turkey. This would surely cut down on the prep-time after church. The turkey would likely take a good three hours, despite its size, to thoroughly be cooked, leaving him time to cook the Tofu turkey for Spock and his twins. Being a dutiful wife and mother Bree would also partake in this faux bird. Erik was very aware she hated tofu, too. He sought with spices to intensify more of a turkey flavor, just for her. Meeting together for a very truncated Coffee Hour, Erik soon begged off to see to his culinary chore. Seemingly, right after he shoved the turkey into the oven his guests came pouring through his front door. He hadn’t even changed his clothes. Rather that flee upstairs to do so, he took his station at the bar. “I have plain eggnog, traditional eggnog with that splash of Rum or whiskey, your choice. And a wide variety of wines, both red and white. Punch ot apple cider for the wee ones.” Erik poured a few drinks, as ‘ordered’ and then straining to hear, he was glad when Kayleigh came from the kitchen to let him know his buzzer was going off. She took over for him at the bar. Erik pulled the oven door open, happy to see the faux bird had also taken on a slightly golden shade, helping against its normal anemic color. Carrying the turkeys to place on the dining room tables, he then took out his treasured bell and waving it up and down, placed a hand to his mouth to help project this voice over the din of many side conversations. “Come and get it. I declare this Thanksgiving Feast shall now commence! Come, while it’s hot.” Like lines of ants coming out of the walls, the family seated themselves at the tables. Several of the adults, after the meal was complete and dessert had been exhausted, gathered into the formal living room to talk about the genealogical finds they each had uncovered. Erik had asked for their help in tracking down each branch, including the Golden side. Regina, Mercedes and even Hayleigh took an interest. While the grownups discussed their findings, the children played. Bidding adieu to their guests, Erik stood watching as they left. The last holiday was spent. In just days the first day of Winter would arrive. Erik enjoyed the time with his family with each passing year. Today had been no exception. He often chatted with his brothers and sister on the phone, but it was so much more fulfilling to be with them in person. He disliked it, that he was again being hounded to go on a third World Tour. He still harbored bitter memories of the last one. Kayleigh tried to suggest she and the kids could go with him, this time, but Erik was very reluctant to upset the boys’ first year in school. “I’ll see how long I can hold this off. I’m really not too excited about going. While I fervently enjoy performing before a live audience, I’m uncertain such a tour is worth the wear and tear on my psyche.” “I hear you, Sweetheart and I understand just where you’re coming from. Do me a favor, though. Double-check your contract and make darned certain you don’t owe them another World Tour, lest they rob us blind again.” All for now, thanks for reading!
Tartosan Sun: Journeys
Welcome to my reboot of Under The Tartosan Sun.🙂 The original story was my first try at writing SimLit. It's been crazy fun and I've learned and grown so much since April '22 when this journey started. These characters are very special to me and I wanted to start again and use all that I've learned in that time to make their story even better. Since I was starting over I wanted to go back in time. Back to when Danielle, Londyn, and the others were just graduating high school and embarking on adulthood. Before Danielle and Londyn, Liberty and Matteo, and Summer and Darian met and fell in love in Tartosa. For some it’s university. For others it’s chasing their dreams along a different path. The early chapters are going to explore what made each of them who they are. It's also a chance to right a few wrongs. Things like the characters too perfect lives. Romantic relationships that went from 0 to soulmates in no time. Secondary characters and storylines that went nowhere. I'm also bringing a character over from another story that is on hiatus, and for all intents and purposes done. Johnny Zest/Mimi Eleganza/The Lady Mimi is one of my favorites and many readers have mentioned how much they enjoyed the character as well. I'll be updating and adding new character bios as time goes by. For now I'm starting out with two bios, one for each group of roommates/dorm mates, Danielle, Summer, and Liberty, and Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I do writing it. ❤️ (L to R) Danielle Chabert / Liberty Lee / Summer Holiday Danielle, Summer, and Liberty have been friends for almost their entire lives. They met in the first grade and have been nearly inseparable ever since. So it's no surprise they're going to be dorm mates at Foxbury Institute. Danielle comes from a creative family. Her mother is an accomplished painter and her dad is jazz musician playing in the clubs around Willow Creek. Though her mom pressured her to be an artist, painting was only a hobby. Danielle's dream is to be a romance novelist. Liberty's mom is an investment banker and her father is a video game designer. Liberty is an avid gamer and daddy's girl who dreamt of being an astronaut when she was younger. Now she's fascinated by psychology and computers. She's doing a double major in psychology and computer science with hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist or cybersecurity expert. Summer was born to do one thing, cook. It's in her genes. Her mother and her mother's side of the family are almost all chefs. Her dad is a bandmate with Danielle's father so her family is steeped in the two things Willow Creek is most famous for, sinfully delicious food and hot jazz music. Her dream is to become a famous chef and own her own restaurants or have a tv cooking show. Maybe both. (L to R) Venessa Jeong / Londyn Huntley / Johnny Landgraab-Mimi Eleganza-The Lady Mimi Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi all come from different backgrounds and different parts of the country. But they have a lot in common. All three on part of the LGBTQ community, Venessa and Londyn are lesbians, and Johnny/Mimi is trans/non-binary. They also dream of fame and fortune. Venessa grew up in Chestnut Ridge, but she always believed Del Sol Valley was where she was meant to be. She took advantage of every opportunity she could find to get in front of a crowd and perform. Growing up in a rural area those opportunities were few and far between. But she wasn't going to be deterred. Now she's accomplished the first objective, move to Del Sol Valley. Now the hard work begins. Venessa has the talent and determination to make it big. Londyn is an island girl at heart. She grew up in sunny Sulani dreaming of stardom in faraway Del Sol Valley. Some of her earliest memories were of sitting with her mom watching the Starlight Accolades. And countless movies. As Londyn reached her teen years she knew early that she was attracted to other girls. It was a source of tension at times between her and her parents. They loved her but they didn't support her being out and proud. But through it all her parents supported her acting ambitions. Londyn has always dreamed big, now it's time to make those dreams come true. Johnny/Mimi grew up in nearby Oasis Springs. From an early age there was a disconnect between their body and their heart and mind. Mimi never felt like the boy everyone else said they were. As the years passed and life at home and at school became nightmarish Mimi found an escape in the world of drag. Mimi idolized the performers. The club scene in Del Sol Valley is a Mecca for gender outlaws like Mimi and a launching pad from some of the world's top drag performers. A list Mimi is determined to add their name too. Table of Contents: Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six
