Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Kindness
These stories effectively counter that tendency towards fear controlling actions by encouraging small kindnesses – planting flowers, anonymous gifts, kind words, and indeed building connections, rather than divisions.
Friday's Kind Words: Constantly Impressed & Thankful
I am constantly impressed and thankful for the impact Sparkle Stories has in our home.
~Lindsay Ruth Ritchie
DIY Vacation Shadow Box
What do you do with all the wonderful things you've collected while you were exploring? Why, put them in a shadow box!
Sparkle Kitchen: Peach Pecan Pancakes
The extra thickness of these pancakes makes them perfectly suited to being stuffed with goodies. Try them with Dante's peaches and pecans or whatever else you can imagine up. Then, get ready for an incredible day.
Explore this Week: Coming Home Again – Tips for Preserving Memories
This week, we are giving you tips for preserving memories both while you are out exploring, and when you come back home.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Returning Home
These stories are all about "coming home" and the gifts that home can uniquely bring us all.
NINE Outdoor Recipes and Crafts
This week we are EXPLORING our State and National Parks. There are so many wonderful things to see and do and explore there you hardly need our help. But we thought we'd give you a few ideas to help enrich your experience no matter where you are exploring.
Sparkle Kitchen: Fruit Leather
When I was little, my dad and I hiked in the redwoods, and he would often let me dash ahead on the trail to see the forest first, just like Martin & Sylvia do. When I got tired from all that running, one of my favorite snacks was a bright red, “fruit roll-up.” For my kiddos, we don't do fruit roll-ups, but we do enjoy homemade fruit leather.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Exploring Big Parks
These stories all feature "big parks" that your family can visit — and learn something new!
Friday's Kind Words: Two Mommies
Thank you for having a story with 2 mommies. (The bird nest story). ~ Jessika
Summer Games Round-Up
Summer is in full swing, and this week at Sparkle Stories we are exploring our towns and parks. We've got four games for you, all of which work really well just about anywhere you want to explore.
Sparkle Kitchen: Flower-y Summer Salad
This week's recipe is far more lovely and appealing than grub-y grubs, although it's just as wild. This week we're making a gorgeous summer salad with edible flowers.
EXPLORE this Week: Your Neighborhood, Town and Local Parks
It's week two of our EXPLORE theme! Did you know your own neighborhood and town (or city) offers a wealth of exploration opportunities?
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Exploring Local Parks
Neighborhood parks, picnic areas, lakes, rivers and green spaces are a central part of every town. These stories all celebrate the civic gift of local parks and all the magical opportunities they give to the people who live there!
Friday's Kind Words: Thoughtful, Gentle, and Developmentally Appropriate
You stepped in and filled such an important space in the lives of families who want to allow their children to be children away from commercialism, and mass-media culture. ~ Becca
Sparkle Kitchen: Avocado Yogurt Dip
Just like Martin and Sylvia, any good mother's helper knows that it's important to give your younger charges a delicious, healthy snack. Today, we're going to talk about one you can grow in your own backyard.
EXPLORE this Week: Your Own Home and Yard
Sometimes it simply takes a moment's pause – and an encouragement to find fresh eyes – to see that there's a world of things to explore right around you. Here are some ideas for exploring your own home and yard!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Exploring Your Own Backyard
Whether your yard is hundreds of acres or an alley with flowerpots, there is always something to discover and explore. These are stories of the amazing and delightful discoveries that happen when you pay attention and open yourself to surprises!
Friday's Kind Words: Affirming All Families
Thanks for affirming all families and bringing us high-quality beauty. ~Sara
NINE Sparkle Recipes and Crafts for the 4th of July
Americans have been celebrating the 4th of July with food, dancing, and fireworks since 1776. This week, in celebration of that day, we bring you some yummy Independence Day-inspired recipes and crafts to bring an extra bit of sparkle to your celebration.
