Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Friday's Kind Words: Just Like Martin & Sylvia
Kiddo wanted to do Thursday Nature School, just like Martin and Sylvia. So off to the river we went this morning. ~mummyandmama
Sparkle Craft: Recycled Humming Bird Feeder
This week's craft is an easy-peasy, recycled hummingbird feeder. And once you've got your feeder put together, making the nectar to fill it is, literally, as easy as boiling water.
sparkle kitchen: campfire raspberry basil grilled cheese sandwiches
With sweet, tangy raspberries, and mellow brie cheese, these grilled cheese sandwiches are a bit more magical then their American cheese cousins. And they're made to be cooked outside over a grill or campfire, which will give the bread a whiff of smokiness that's impossible to replicate indoors.
Summer Nature Crafts Round Up
Since time immemorial, people have been drawing inspiration from nature. From the cave paintings in France to architects who build houses around boulders, from the tree character Grut to the Marvel comic "Guardians of Galaxy," nature has helped to shape and inspire the things that humans create.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Nature's Inspiration
In this age of digital devices, virtual assistants, and Internet of everything — we can often find ourselves overwhelmed, anxious, and ungrounded. Luckily, the cure is patient, welcoming, and enduring — nature!
Sparkle Craft: Firefly Habitats
If you want to add “catching fireflies” to your summer bucket list, this sweet firefly habitat will get you equipped in style.
Sparkle Kitchen: Breakfast Fruit Pizza
As part of their “daddycation” Martin and Sylvia go bowling and visit a camel. They also have breakfast for dinner. This week's recipe is just the opposite of breakfast for dinner — it's pizza for breakfast.
July Tips for a Day of Rest
If you’re interested in exploring different traditions in your Day of Rest as Martin and Sylvia’s family does, here are a few tips to get you started for the month of July.
FIFTY Study Page- North Carolina: "You Are Not Your Father"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore how trade worked with Europe and the islands of the Caribbean, as well as the complicated ethics of piracy during this time in history.
Storybox Playlist: Stories For the Growns — Summer Parent Care
Here are some stories to inspire Mom and Dad to take some time for themselves.
Friday's Kind Words: A Sweet Testimonial
A sweet testimonial about a specially-made breakfast in bed.
June Tips for Creating a Day of Rest
If you’re looking for ways to simplify rather than complify in your own Day of Rest, let me offer a few strategies to consider for the month of June (and beyond!).
sparkle kitchen: homemade ice cream sandwiches
While you could go whole hog for these and make your own ice cream, too, to keep this recipe more manageable, we usually do homemade cookies and store bought ice cream. Use this recipe as a jumping off point and see what delicious combinations you can discover!
FIFTY Study Page- Utah: "Eyes of the Earth"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Transcontinental Railroad and how it changed Utah.
Storybox Playlist: Sparkle Games & Summertime Fun — Super Practical Themes
Here are some stories featuring fun summertime games.
Sparkle Craft: Morse Code Bracelets
Whether you call it a “mantra” or “choosing a word” to focus on, it's always nice to have a reminder of what makes you unique when life gets difficult. These morse-code bracelets put that chosen word right where you'll see it every day.
Sparkle Kitchen: Hard Boiled Egg Mice Snacks
Inspired by the mice in this story, these hardboiled egg “mice” are adorable, easy for even little ones to put together, and packed with satiating protein.
Fifty Study Page- Mississippi: “Boll Weevil and the Blues”
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Delta Blues and the music and cultural influences that created it.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for How to Build the Summer Siesta for Parents
Siesta time is a time of lying down, reading, chatting with friends and dreaming. Here are some stories to help you better understand the gifts of a siesta.
