Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Sopapilla Cheese Cake
While this recipe is for a deep, New York style cheesecake — rather than Manny's grandmother's bars — the honey, warm spices, and strip of crisps tortilla are a nod to a classic sopapilla. Give it a try and make Mona proud!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Back to School
In the northern hemisphere, we are enjoying our last summer adventures while gathering supplies for the school year ahead! Here are several stories to help build excitement, focus, and anticipation — and mediate nervousness — about the first day of school.
Friday's Kind Words: Staying Inside, Still Having an Adventure
Thanks for all you do! You guys rock! ~Megan
Sparkle Kitchen: Soul-Soothing Noodles
Sometimes we all need the soul-soothing that a big bowl of soup provides, particularly when we’ve had a bad day or are feeling sick. This is our go-to recipe!
sparkle kitchen: bbq tofu
While it's not typical barbecue joint fare, barbecue tofu is a delicious nibble to set out as an appetizer at a party or during the peckish hour before dinner.
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
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.
