Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!

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!
Nature School Project: Nature Journals
We are joined today by Mike DiMauro who is a wilderness teacher for Earth Native Wilderness School. He has created a great tutorial for Sparkle showing how to keep your own nature journal just like Martin.

Sparkle Kitchen: Citrus Tea
In this Junk Yard Tales: All Together Now story, “Conquest of the Junkyard Pond”, it's freezing cold in the Junkyard. When Mr. Flinch runs out of water for tea, he asks his Junkyard friends for help.

Storybox Playlist: Stories of Compassion for Others
Let's honor empathy and compassion for others - with stories!

Friday's Kind Words: A Huge Part of Our Lives
We love to learn and be inspired and adding in Sparkle Stories has become a huge part of that for us. - Janice

Nature School Project: Raising Kids Who Love Winter
We are joined by Nicoletta of Wilder Child, who is sharing tips on how to raise children who love winter.

Sparkle Kitchen: Shakespearean Meat Pies
A meat pie, you ask? Indeed! Back in Shakespeare's day theater concessions included fruit, nuts, and small hand pies stuffed with mincemeat—a mixture of meat, spices, and fruit.