Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Spring Equinox and Easter
Spring is in the air and we've got plenty of stories to get you in the mood.
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "Franz and Lena Denken: Dry Good Proprietors"
The stories from the two Dry Gables Series include an accompanying post from the Sparkle Schoolhouse Educator, Meredith Markow. So, if you’re looking to trust someone, look no further than to our responsible, dutiful and loyal dry goods proprietors, Franz and Lena Denken!
Friday's Kind Words: A Gift for a Lifetime
Consider me a doting granny who is thrilled that her grandchildren enjoy good story-telling. ~Maggie
Sparkle Kitchen: Maple Syrup Candy
Even if you don’t have a maple tree to tap or, like me, your climate isn’t right for the sap to really flow, you can still get in on the fun of sugaring season by making maple syrup candy. You’ll only need three ingredients: pure maple syrup, butter, and a patch of clean snow.
Sparkle Kitchen: Mediterranean Skewers
As frequent “Sparkle Kitchen” readers will know, I'm a big proponent of sitting down to a meal as a way to bring people together and help solve differences. And what better kind of meal to have than a delicious Mediterranean cook-out.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Healthy Competition
These stories are of healthy competition, winning and losing, what it is to lead a team, and what it is to play on a team: skills useful for anyone who loves to play games.
Sparkle Kitchen: Firefighter Hash
The following recipe is a healthy twist on a classic, firehouse hash. It meets the criteria of being quick and economical, and — while the sweet potatoes and kale add nutrition — it's still hearty enough for heroes.
Friday's Kind Words: Parenting Revelation
My last month's parenting revelation was that our laundry never gets folded and put away. Well, actually, that was last year's observation. It gets washed and dried and sits in a basket until I have "the time" to fold it and put it away.
Nature School Project: Melting Icicles
We are joined today by Dawn who is shows us how to study the melting of icicles like Martin does in the story.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Superheroes
Here at Sparkle we believe that everyone, no matter how young or old, has a superhero in them!
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "Liesl Herz: Nurse"
In this post we spend some time with the warm and generous Liesl Herz, Dry Gable’s nurse and healer.
Friday's Kind Words: Huge Fans
My son loves to hear the stories and I love telling people about Sparkle. ~Adriana
Mud Pies and Mud Ball Critters
A fun, simple tutorial for making mud pies and mud ball critters, inspired by a Martin & Sylvia adventure in the "Nature School" collection.
Sparkle Kitchen: Tiny Fig Tarts
You know, maybe we should write a law? Tarts and pies for everyone!
But, while we wait for some enterprising politician to think of that, you should try these adorable, tiny fig tarts instead.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Helping Around the House
We've got some great stories this week to help motive little helpers to clean, pick up, and help out with chores around the house.
Friday's Kind Words: Cozy Listening Station
Our puppy apparently likes to relax with a sparkle story sometimes, too ;) My son had set up a cozy listening station for himself but the dog took it over. ~ Kristi
Sparkle Kitchen: "Quick" Pho
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup made of rice noodles, beef or chicken, and a long simmering broth filled with spices like cinnamon and anise. While there are regional variations, the broth is always the key.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Long Car Rides
We have lots and lots of stories to help you and your kids happily pass the time in the car.
Friday's Kind Words: A Treasure in This House
Your stories are a treasure in this house, my children ask for them all the time, while making, drawing, painting, baking, falling asleep and getting up for the day. ~ Valerie
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "Max Denken: Newspaperman"
Greetings, Sparkle Grown Ups! Get on your 3-D glasses, and boldly go where no man has gone before! To the truth seeking, innovative mind of our friend, Max Denken!
