Sister Sleep-Over
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
Every year my sister and I spend a day making mint patty’s. We make hundreds each year and share with anyone who is mint-patty-worthy. We also keep a daily mint count in the weeks after we make them.
This year I booked my sister for the end of January. Yes, you have to book my sister who is busy living her best life. In addition, we know we needed an entire day because we often combine mint-patty day with resale and thrifting, movies, and our favorite restaurant in St. Charles where she lives.
Over the years, we’ve learned the process. We mix, we freeze, we roll, we freeze, we dip, we freeze. We eat them. We’ve gotten so much better with the timing.
This year we had so much we wanted to do, including watching Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere and Ella McKay. Available on Hulu, which Staci gets. Our list kept growing and growing.
One afternoon we were chatting and Staci said, “We have a lot on our list!” I’m not sure what prompted me to ask; however, I said, “What are you doing Sunday?’ my thought was it could be a late night if she was working later the next day.
“Nothing, I’m off,” she said.
“Why don’t I stay over then we don’t have to rush,” I suggested.
She was IN! And then said, “You do have to go home at some point on Sunday because I have things to do.” She knows me well.
As we began preparing for our sleepover, including who was in charge of ingredients, choosing which resale shops we wanted to go to as well as how to manage our favorite restaurants, we both began telling friends about this plan.
We both received happy wishes, “I wish I could do that with my sister,” and “That sounds like so much fun!” to, “You guys are so lucky to live close to each other and want to do this,” and wistful comments from friends who could see themselves doing this. I was quite surprised to hear these comments over and over. I had no idea that so many people would love this idea as much as we did.
Saturday morning January 31 arrived, and I was on my way to Staci’s. We had planned to mix the mint patty’s for the first freeze and then head to lunch and a resale shop. We would then return to dip the frozen mint patty’s into chocolate. The first order of business was to borrow a mixer, because I had forgotten mine. (note: we’ve broken three hand-held mixers)
We borrowed one from Staci’s neighbor and mixed. We also promised her mint patty's in return.
Then we headed to Shoe Carnival to check out winter boots. Found a few cute pairs, however, not the right sizes.
We had both been craving a bagel sandwich and hoped to go to Einstein’s. Unfortunately, it was closed so we googled and found Me Me’s Café fairly close. Walking in, we were immediately struck by the down-home feel and friendliness. They were willing to make our bagel sandwiches however we wanted (which included adding cream cheese to the egg, because without cream cheese is it really a bagel sandwich?!) And the price was reasonable.
Our lunch was delicious and the owner’s daughter-in-law, Taylor, came to chat with us. We asked about the history of the café. The owners from Bethlehem, have had a successful business in two countries. “They bring home with them,” is what Taylor shared. She worked at the cafe between taking college classes and spending time with her son. The chef is her fiancé. She also shared that their specialty is cream cheese cinnamon rolls and they usually sell out every day. They looked delicious.
As we enjoyed our bagel, egg and cream cheese sandwiches, the owner came over smiling and asked us how everything was. He then brought over a delicious strawberry Danish and said it was a gift from the café. We loved Me Me’s Café and knew we would be back. Big thanks to Taylor and the owners for making us feel so welcome.
We then headed to Grace’s Merry Go Round in O’Fallon, my very favorite resale shop. I never leave empty handed and today was no exception. When we first went in and I noticed winter coats on sale plus another discount, my sister asked, “Do you need it?” I said, “Are you going to say that with everything I look at?” We both laughed and she walked away to find treasures for herself. If you are thrifting, you need to ask yourself what you are looking for and then keep an open mind. Because chances are, you will find something you either needed a few months ago or something that just strikes your fancy.
I found this whimsical coat!
And Staci found a flannel shirt.
We returned to her house, dipping the mint patty’s into melted chocolate and freezing them. We began watching the Bruce Springsteen movie and ordered dinner from one of our favorite places: Fratelli’s. Running out to pick up dinner, the place was packed and I was so glad we had ordered take out.
Staci and I love Fratelli’s special salad. On this evening, I enjoyed chicken spiedini with fries and a salad and Staci had her favorite chicken Modiga with broccoli and salad.
Getting back to Staci’s we realized that Ella McKay wasn’t streaming yet so with dinner we watched episodes of my new and Staci’s old favorite: The Big Bang Theory. Laughing and chatting and sampling the mint patty’s and having ice cream because there is always ice cream at Staci’s house.
Changing into our PJ’s, we burrowed under fluffy blankets and laughed and laughed as only sisters and really good friends can.
It was a GREAT Saturday! We always have fun and this weekend was no different.
After good night’s sleep we had bagel sandwiches for breakfast, also from Staci’s freezer and planned our trip to Memphis. Googling, researching, and brainstorming what we wanted to do while there and booking the hotel, tours to Graceland, the Civil Rights Museum, and a Hop On/Hop Off tour which we both love. Note: the Hop On/Hop Off bus was Staci's idea a few years ago and though I had doubts, I ended up loving the tours in other cities.
We watched a few Friends episodes, always a favorite, Face Timed with Staci’s son Alex and his dog Onyx and then we packed up the mint patty’s.
The Sisters Sleep-Over was great fun, relaxing, productive, and centering. We live with our siblings for such a short time. Besides traveling together and/or visiting one another how often do we get to spend a weekend together having good old-fashioned fun with our sisters or brothers?
Yes, it takes planning, I had to book Staci a few weeks ahead of time, however, once we knew what we were going to do the anticipation of our weekend took on a life of its own. As most adventures do.
The centering aspect for me was especially important. Being with Staci often grounds me in life and reminds me of the unique relationship we are fortunate to share. We put the energy and time in so that we enjoy spending time together. It’s pretty much non-stop talking, too. Ideas, inspiration, follow-up of long-ago discussions, questions we don’t ask anyone else.
And the laughter.
There are much laughter and good-natured giggling.
We might have made hundreds of mint patty’s. What we also made were memories which believe it or not, are just as valuable and as important as chocolate. Yes, really.
The gift of this sister is one I will forever be grateful for.
Expect Good. Defy Gravity! Sparkle ON! Sister Sleepovers are the BEST!
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Me Me’s Café
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