Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Sparkle Kitchen: Sandwich on a Stick
“Sandwich sticks,” said Momma proudly as she entered the forest. Martin and Sylvia came out of their stick house to investigate. “What is a sandwich stick?” asked Martin with a smile. He peeked in the tray.
Find out just how to make them in this kitchen post!
Sparkle Kitchen: Breakfast Buckwheat Kasha
The main ingredient is buckwheat groats, which you can buy roasted or raw. If we’re feeling particularly ambitious, we’ll purchase the raw groats, and then soak, sprout, and roast them ourselves. The pre-roasted groats are delicious too, and a lot easier.
Sparkle Kitchen: Alabama Toast
Alabama Toast is a regular breakfast in Martin and Sylvia’s house. It’s a version of French Toast, with a delightful “Alabama” spread, made with good ingredients from the southeastern United States: peanut butter and molasses.
Sparkle Kitchen: Popovers!
Popovers are totally new to the Sparkle Kitchen. We’ve marveled when other friends made them for us, but never actually tried making them ourselves. So a few weeks ago, we gave it a go. And, as is the norm for our kitchen, we whipped up the gluten-free variety. And they were really good.
Storytelling Tip: The Hook
Today, notice your hooks. Notice when you are moved, irritated, inspired or impressed. Note the hooks and then see if you can use them later. Perhaps when telling your spouse about your day – or writing in your journal – or telling a story to your little one as she is falling asleep.
Sparkle Kitchen: Backyard Porridge
In the At Home with Martin & Sylvia story "Spring Sillies Day," Momma serves the children “Backyard Porridge” on their much loved Spring Sillies Day. You don’t have to wait until next April 1 to have some morning silliness. Create your own Spring Sillies Day and serve up a little of the “bugs & grubs” — Martin-and-Sylvia style. Here's how!
Sparkle Kitchen: Wagonwheel Omelette
The Wagonwheel is a playful take on the familiar Western Omelette. We use traditional Western Omelette ingredients, but you could fill it with just about anything.
Sparkle Kitchen: Banana Rafts
In the story, the children disappear into the kitchen and make their daddy something extra special while he rests his broken toe. They call the treat “Banana Rafts.“
Where Do the Stories Come From?
Many of the So Many Fairies and By Thistle By Thimble stories are inspired by thresholds or challenges that our children (or their parents) are facing. Moving to a new home, death of a beloved pet, teasing by peers, how to share a toy – these things we have met and continue to meet. And we meet them with story.
A Gift of Images
Stories are dreams. They are given in the waking state but they are basically the same thing. Children respond to them the same way too. Their eyes glaze over, their jaws slacken and they are transported. This is a gift. And they are grateful.
How to Pay Attention - The First Pillar of Intuitive Storytelling
Storytelling is convenient. It is portable. It is effective and holds immense variety. Parents have complete control over content and it is FREE! Keep reading to learn more about attention, the first of the four tenets of intuitive storytelling.
