A Taste of Honey

Telling the story of the residents of Honeycomb, "The Valley" and "The Hills"

[kimmiessimmies]

A Taste of Honey

A Taste of Honey is the ongoing story about the lives and loves of the residents of Honeycomb Valley.

Then

The story started out nameless in 2012 on my WordPress blog entitled KimmiesSimmies. At first, it was a slice-of-life gameplay-based story and showed bits and pieces of the events taking place in the lives of all residents of Honeycomb Valley. Since then the story evolved to the extent that storytelling became the main focus and it needed a title.

Now

A Taste of Honey is based around several main characters whose often intertwining lives we get to follow through the years. Every so often, another Honeycomber steps in, and the story expands.

Home

Home base to the story is my WordPress blog, kimmiessimmies.wordpress.com, where the whole story can be read in full (including summaries), all character bios can be found, and the town can be visited (currently under construction).

All story updates are also shared to this Tumblr blog and can be found using the tag #atoh. Do note that updates to the story weren't shared on here from the beginning. Lot tours and shots of the town are shared to this blog, too, and tagged #visit honeycomb.

Read from the beginning?

I created a page on here on which I post all direct links to finished chapters on my WordPress blog. I also wrote some advice on where to start if "reading from the beginning" is what you wish to do: A Taste of When It All Began

Rather have a summary?

I have that too! At least for the main storyline. I'll try to keep this post updated, but bear with me if it's fallen behind: An Attemped Summary...

A few things you should know:

The story is often very PG, but I am an adult, and I don't shy away from adult themes and phrasing, swear words, innuendo, and occasional NSFW scenes. The latter will always be properly tagged.

Story updates containing material that could be considered triggering will be marked with a trigger warning. If you ever feel I failed to do that, please send me a message.

English is not my native language, so grammatical errors may occur. I'm also no stranger to typos. I always check my texts before I publish them, but sometimes I might miss a beat.

I'm an overly sensitive person and a worry wart, and I would appreciate it if you kept that in mind when commenting on my story. I'm not saying everything should always be rainbows and sunshine, and I absolutely welcome constructive criticism, but please do consider this.

Thank you for sticking with me. ❤️

- Kim

[kimmiessimmies]

Well, what can I say....

It's a start! Not making any promises yet though :P

[kimmiessimmies]

Correction...

Um... I just realised that for my very loosely planned time frame to work, the Christmas I wrote about yesterday can't have been '13... It would have to be '14... So, I'll change that now. Pretend you didn't see, okay? 😊

Oh, and Merry Christmas to all. 🎄

[kimmiessimmies]

ATOH Christmas Special: Christmas '14

I didn’t entirely know if taking him out to a cabin in the woods, for Christmas of all times, would be a good idea. We haven’t known each other all that long yet, after all. We’ve been on, what? Ten dates now? James and Sadie told me to hold back a little, keep my heart safe. They know how hard and fast I can fall, and how unlucky I’ve been in love up until now.

But the same is true for him. He hasn’t had much luck in love, either. Unrequited crushes and attempted relationships with guys who simply weren’t into him the way he was into them. If you ask me, they’re crazy. He is so bubbly, so kind, so authentically himself. So lovely. Well, their loss, etcetera.

So, I asked him, would you like to go away with me for Christmas? Knowing neither one of us really had anything better to do. Family Christmases aren’t really on the cards for either of us. I was so nervous for his response, but his face lit up, and he said, “Dante, are you serious? A romantic getaway with my boyfriend? Hell yes!” He actually said that: boyfriend. Is it possible to literally feel your heart swell? Well, it must be, because that’s what it felt like.

Later, he asked me if it had been too soon for him to call me his boyfriend. He said if that was the case, I should write it off as “youthful enthusiasm”. Ha! That earned him a punch to his shoulder. He’s constantly pestering me about how he is so “youthful”, while in fact he’s only five years younger than I am and honestly, wise beyond his years. I followed the punch up with a kiss, though and told him I felt lucky to be called his boyfriend.

And now here I am, in quiet, snow-covered woodlands, going on walks, enjoying warm fires and lots of cosy times. With my boyfriend.

Merry Christmas.

[kimmiessimmies]

Something's coming...

Yes, I'm still alive ;)

Originally, I wasn't actually going to do a Christmas thing this year. But then the lovely @nornities created this wonderful forest for Honeycomb Valley, which made for very scenic shots and, covered in snow, gave off strong Christmas vibes, especially after I built a wood cabin. So, suddenly, a little idea was born. Tomorrow I'll show you "Christmas '14", six years after we left off, in the woods. Who's going here? Check back tomorrow!

[kimmiessimmies]

Honeycomb Valley Public Library

I read a lot. After a long time of neglecting my passion for reading, I rediscovered it this past Christmas and I'm currently on my 89th book since then. Okay, granted, 30 of those were double reads, books I read twice, but it's still 89 books I read from cover to cover. I will easily reach 100 by next Christmas. Reading is a big thing in my household all around. My children are avid and very strong readers too. My 10 year old son is part of our library's youth team and my 5 year old daughter is my own mini Matilda, reading since she was 3 and by now reading anything and everything she can get her hands on. We can almost count the library as a second home.

All in all, it was quite a shameful fact that Honeycomb Valley still lacked a proper library. I of course gave the university its own grand library, but the town still had nothing. This is no longer true though, because let me show you The Honeycomb Valley Public Library!

For this build I took a lot of inspiration from my own local library, which is a cultural hub and a library in one. Not only can you go there to read and lend books, study or work; it's also a place where music classes, dance classes and art activities take place. I wanted something similar for Honeycomb Valley. Not a polished and quiet place like I created for the university, but something warm and welcoming for everyone.

On the ground floor we find a cafe, the adult book department and small rooms for music lessons. These spaces were a bit too small to take proper pictures in, but you can see them in the back in the overview pictures.

The upper floor houses the children's department, a dance studio and an art room.

Behind the library, even though there's no exit there, I created a little play area and some benches to sit. Though this is not technically part of the library itself, I'm including it just for fun and because it's a happy picture :) And now I'm going back to hibernating. Probably with a book. You'll see me again when I've figured out what to do with my own writing... 🤦🏼‍♀️

[kimmiessimmies]

08: New Year's Eve

How Sarah and Seth spent their NYE, Which, as you may recall, Sarah reminded James, was their fifth anniversary...

[kimmiessimmies]

About asks and tags and so on...

This is just to say I'm so far behind on answering all of these... Please don't feel like you can't send me them, I like them! I just feel out of touch with everything Tumblr (among other things) at the moment, so if I fail to reply, please don't take it personally. Also, while we're at it, if you find me MIA on your posts while I used to interact a lot; this is a bit of the same thing. I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me.

[kimmiessimmies]

Those of you who followed my stories know I promised the Chapman family a summer holiday on a “campground with its very own waterpark” when they booked their trip back in my SimMarch. When I played SimMarch, I knew IP was coming, but little was yet known about how resorts and such would work. I wasn’t even sure back then if I would send them to Isla Paradiso or to a downloaded world. Well, they did go to Isla Paradiso and of course I had to build them that campground with waterpark. Instead of a waterpark (I actually had no idea how to do that), I went for a big fancy pool, but they didn’t seem to mind.

So, I wanted to share with you some pictures of my “Aquabella campground and resort”. Taking pictures of lots is really not my strong suit, but oh well, here is the best I could do!

1: Aquabella!

2: Pool

3: More pool

4: Even more pool

5: The restaurant

6: Buffets

7: Part of the campground

8: Sinks for washing up

9: Campground kitchen

10: Overview

[kimmiessimmies]

I just sent two of my dears to my Aquabella resort on Isla Paradiso, so I thought, let's reblog the post showing this place :D

[kimmiessimmies]

Winter 08/09: If the Fates Allow

“When did you say she was coming?” Dante asked while he gently brushed something off James’ shoulder. They were sitting together on the sofa

Winter 08/09: If The Fates Allow

James reaches some conclusions about his true feelings and emotions and makes some firm decisions, not without consequences for others. And with Christmas fast approaching, will all be merry?

This chapter has been posted to Tumblr in parts from July to mid-September. If you want to (re-)read the entire update in one go, you can do so here, on my WordPress blog.

Normally I post this link to the full update the day after the chapter runs out on Tumblr, I only just now realised I hadn't done that yet... 🤦🏼‍♀️

[kimmiessimmies]

Make this night count...

"Look at all the colours! Isn't it pretty, James?"

"Very. The view is great from up here."

"It was a good idea to book this room for tonight."

"I'm full of good ideas."

"We have made things difficult for her this year, haven't we, James?"

"For whom, lovely?"

"Our author. This. Us. It was never part of her plan, was it?"

"No, but, haven't we also made things great for her?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Well, we've made things great for us, either way, Sade."

"Cheers to that, lovely."

"Sade..."

"Hmm...?"

"You wouldn't let me kiss you under the mistletoe because of where it might lead, but... since we're here now... Will you let me kiss you for New Year's?"

"Umm... No, I don't think so...

"Oh... Sorry..."

"I'm not going to let you kiss me for New Year's, James, because I'm going to kiss you first."

"Wha..."

"Happy New Year, you."

"Happy New Year, my girl..."

......

....

...

"James?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think she'll let us be together in the new year?"

"We'll have to see, love... Let's make this night count while we're here..."

My dear followers,

This year has been very... intense... for me. I already wrote a long post about my mental health struggles, which put a huge stamp on my year. However, 2023 will also forever be the year I went back to my Sims, back to my stories, and back to Tumblr.

I spent five years away. Both because real life took over and because I had gotten into a rut with my Sims and the story. I never forgot them, though, and never stopped loving them. And suddenly, somewhere in February, it clicked. Everything fell into place, and I knew where I wanted to go with it all. In fact, it was this boy up here, my dearest James, who pulled me back. His story was suddenly clear as day to me. But how to begin? So, in March, I decided to just start writing. Then, I dusted off my game, found that all shortcuts and cheats were apparently in my muscle memory, and started shooting pictures to go with what I had written. And once I got going, I didn't stop. Everything I wrote in 2023 (and that's a lot!) even if it seemed unrelated, was geared towards James's story and the big moment that still lies ahead. However... As I've emphasised several times by now, I didn't account for this girl... So now it's like James said, "We'll have to see."

Coming back to my story brought me so much this year; I went from gameplay-based to story-based and found out how much I truly LOVE writing and how much it helps me, especially now that I'm going through rough times. Encouraged and inspired by someone dear to me, my story gained a title and came to Tumblr in full. I learnt to not only accept the benefits of poses, but how incredibly enhancing they can be to bring my ideas to life when used right. I reconnected with old contacts and made new connections too, some of whom proved to be true friends outside of this Tumblr/Sims world too. I've loved getting caught up on the stories I used to follow and discovering new ones. I've been amazed at how good CC has become in five years and pleasantly surprised to see there's still a good crowd playing TS3 in addition to the great things some of you are doing with TS4. All of this has been bright spots in my darkness.

And now we're entering 2024. I hope it will be light and bright for all of us. May the good days outnumber the bad ones and may we continue to feel the joy these little pixel-people bring us. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Much love. ❤️

-Kim

P.s. I know, I know; Some of you are now very disappointed you didn't get to see James and Sadie "making the night count." Just for all of you filthy animals I have one more post in this non-canon series set to go. Be forewarned; this one is very NSFW (And Not Suitable To View At New Year's Parties With Lots Of People Around) and will be labelled mature. I also have a sneaking suspicion it'll take Tumblr about 3 seconds to take it down, so I have an alternative post with Pillowfort link waiting in the wings. Going live as the the New Year hits where I am, at midnight GMT+1. See them making the night count by clicking here!

[kimmiessimmies]

Reblog of the New Year's Post that was an AU on the last day of 2023 but is now the new reality: James and Sadie in a Bridgeport hotel room on New Year's Eve. :D

The spicy follow-up post got blocked by Tumblr, but can be viewed here (NSFW warning!)

[kimmiessimmies]

Where will we go from here?

Or, "The End" explained.

Wait? What? The End? What do you mean "The End"!? Does the story end here!? No more A Taste of Honey to tell?

Okay, sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said "The End". It sort of is though. For a very, very long time, my main focus was to tell James' story. Even seemingly unconnected sideturns were in some way linking back to James' path. The story I wanted to tell changed completely halfway through, because, as stated before, James and Sadie were never the plan. But they worked. They had to be. And so I started to knit this thing together again in a different way. I will create a post in due time explaining what the original plan was and all the detours I took. Not sure anyone will be interested in that, but I'd like to share it anyway :)

Either way, James' story ends here. For his story, we've reached the end.

However, there are many other characters whose stories are not yet complete. What will happen to Joshua, for instance? Is his thing with Malik something that can last, with their wants and needs being so different? I have something very exciting for Dan waiting on the shelf, too! And what about Sadie's party girl sister, Esme? And their heartbroken mother, for that matter? And Dante? How will he move on? Where will Rachel and Malte go? Not to mention the fact that Honeycomb Valley in itself is full of characters that have been flying under the radar for a long time now. I can't tell every story, of course, and will need to make some decisions.

One thing I have decided, though, is that we will now do a time jump. We'll fast forward five and a bit years to "2014" when a lot of things will have changed. I will need some time to set all that up, decide where everyone is, what has shaped the five years we didn't see them and what (who) will take centre stage now? So, please bear with me, the story will continue, there are still things left to tell. It just may take a few beats to set up.

In the meantime, I will be actually playing the game, play out the events that will happen in the five years and I will post screenshots and sometimes some text too of those happenings. No full story chapters, but just bits and pieces of what is happening 😊I will use the hashtag "#atoh five year gap" for these posts.

Oh, and lastly, I obviously will not turn my back on "Jadie" entirely. They will make several appearances in the future of A Taste of Honey. They're still part of the bigger story and the world as a whole. And of my heart. But their drama is over. And let's be honest, they've had more than their share, right? They need a break.

Thank you for reading!

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (48/48)

Sadie wrapped her arms around James’ waist and rested her head against his shoulder as they watched Dante go. “What a wonderful guy,” she said.

“He’s gay, though, sorry”, James said teasingly.

“Well, good, otherwise you just might have had competition,” Sadie teased back, giving him a sassy smile.

“Lucky me,” James said and planted a quick kiss on her forehead.

He looked up. “Do you see where we are, Sade?”

She followed his gaze and spotted the mistletoe hanging above their heads “Oh, I see. Well, we can’t let a chance like that pass us by, can we?” She winked and kissed him softly.

“Get a room or at least get out of my way.” A grumpy guy carrying a stack of books pushed past them.

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” James said, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

“I agree,” she said with a wink.

They put on their coats and made their way out of the coffeehouse and into the heavy snowfall outside.

I was thinking, Sade,” James said as they walked off, their arms warmly linked together, “Maybe we could go away for New Year’s?”

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (47/48)

James and Sadie had walked Dante to the door to see him out.

“I’m really glad you came, Dante,” James said, meaning every word.

“Good, I am too,” Dante said and cast him one of his blushy smiles. “Remember what we agreed; I want free VIP tickets to all concerts,” he said, raising a finger and looking between James and Sadie.

Sadie laughed, “You’ve got them, but we want signed first copies of all the graphic novels you’ll write in return.”

Now Dante laughed too, “That’s a fair deal!”

James let his gaze wander from Sadie to Dante and back again as they were laughing together and, for the first time in a very, very long time, felt absolutely happy.

His smile must have shown it, or shown something, because both Sadie and Dante fell quiet when they looked at him, and both smiled back at him.

“Don’t mind me,” James said, “I’m just very pleased you two are getting along so well.”

“Well, of course we are,” Dante said, “we are both obviously excellent in recognising great people when we see them.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” James said.

“You can, because it is,” Dante replied and then held out his arms to hug James.

James hugged him back. “Please send me pictures from Monte Vista, Dante. I’d really like that.”

“I will.” Dante nodded, “Please keep in touch.”

“Absolutely,” James said.

Dante smiled and, with a wave of his hand, walked out into the snow again.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (46/48)

He looked at Sadie, too, who glanced his way at the same time. He nodded to her, and she smiled and, after another quick word with the girl, made her way back to James and Dante.

“Hi! Sorry about that, I really had to ask her something about our course.”

James and Dante looked at each other knowingly, and both couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“What?” Sadie said, looking between them, “Oh, alright, I thought it would be good for you two to talk for a moment without me present, I’m nice that way,” she stuck out her tongue.

“Thank you,” James said, “But Dante  informed me that he’s actually been looking forward to meeting you, so please stay.”

“That’s perfect, because I’ve been looking forward to meeting you too,” Sadie said, casting a smile in Dante’s direction. “I hear you’re an artist. What do you specialise in?”

“Actually, I can show you”, Dante said, and reached for his bag.

James smiled. Things seemed to be working out just fine after all.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (45/48)

“I’m actually headed for Monte Vista again in two days,” Dante said, looking at James happily. “I’ve been invited to spend Christmas with Luna and her father and my other half-sisters. Luna and I have been writing a lot, and it turns out Enrico is very happy to meet me.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” James said, feeling a knot untie within him at Dante’s obvious happiness. “Are you nervous or excited?”

“A little bit of both,” Dante admitted, “But I’ll be alright.”

“And after Christmas?” James asked, “Are you still okay at Chestnut and Oak?”

“Actually, Sasha gave me the green light to leave, too. I applied for a scholarship to an art school, and it was granted, so I’ll be starting there when the new term begins. After that, I’ll see where I’ll end up.”

“I’m so happy to hear that!” James smiled, “You’ll do amazing there. And I’m sure you’ll find your feet afterwards too. You know, Honeycomb Valley is nice,” he added with a wink.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Dante laughed. He looked over at where Sadie was standing, talking to the unknown girl. “I think she left because she didn’t want to interfere, right?”

“Yes,” James said, “I had that same impression.”

“I would actually very much like her to come back,” Dante said, “I’ve been looking forward to getting to know her.”

“I would like that too,” James replied wholeheartedly, feeling a warmth spread through his body as he said it.

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.

[kimmiessimmies]

If The Fates Allow (44/48)

“Here you go!” Sadie said cheerfully, putting a steaming mug and a plate in front of Dante.

“I picked you up a Christmas cookie too, because they’re delicious.” She pointed to a table a bit further away, “There’s someone there I want to talk to, so I'll let you two chat and will catch up later.”

James looked in the direction Sadie had pointed and saw a girl he had never seen before. Of course, this could be someone from one of Sadie’s courses, but he doubted the meeting was all that pressing. It was clear Sadie was stepping away to give them some privacy.

“She seems lovely,” Dante said, looking at Sadie walking away.

“I think she is, yes,” James replied, unable to keep the smile from his face.

“I’m happy this is how it worked out, James. I really am.”

“Maybe if things had been different, Dante… Another place, another time. Who knows…” James said, still feeling somewhat apologetic.

Dante shrugged, “Ifs, buts and maybes. This whole ordeal with my mother has taught me that there’s no use in getting stuck in ifs, buts and maybes. Things are what they are.”

“And what are the things, Dante?” James then asked, genuinely interested. “How are you doing? What is next for you?”

Read this chapter from the beginning by clicking here.