What My Mom Would Tell Her 33-Year-Old Self & What I Cooked Last Week

Life Lessons from Mom, Cheddar & Chive Scones with Hot Honey, Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Crostini, Mom’s Creamy Broccoli Pasta, Egg Roll Bowl with Wonton Crisps

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great week! I just turned 33, and thought it’d be fun to ask my mom (my best friend!) what she wishes she’d known at this age. She’s 64 now, and by the time she was 33, she already had all three of us kids and was working full time as a real estate agent. Below are her top pieces of advice, including the family ritual that’s kept us close and what she believes has helped her and my dad stay happily married for over 40 years.

First, here’s a recipe for cheddar and chive scones. They’re the best I’ve ever made! The outside gets golden brown and lightly crisped, while the inside stays moist and buttery. I hope you try these and love them as much as I do.

What I Cooked Last Week! ↓

Cheddar & Chive Scones with Hot Honey

These scones are salty, sweet perfection. The key is to not overwork the dough, which keeps them incredibly tender.

Cheddar & Chive Scones With Hot Honey

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You can download the PDF recipe above and watch the video here :)

Life Lessons from My Mom, Ann Sharf

A few days ago, I called my mom to ask what she wishes she’d known at 33. She’s my favorite person to turn to for advice, so I thought it’d be fun (and insightful) to hear what she would’ve wanted to know at my age.

Enjoy the present moment ☀️

Ann: This is something you already do very well, but I would have liked to be more present when you and your brothers were little kids. That way I could’ve enjoyed it more, since it all goes by so fast.

Maxine: I just read a Mother’s Day post where someone said that when your kids are little, it feels so hard and you’re just trying to get through it. But then it all goes by so fast, and you look back wishing you’d appreciated it more.

Ann: By the time I was 31, I’d had all three of you, and I started working right after you were born. But even when I was home with you all, I worried too much about doing everything perfectly rather than sitting down and appreciating how adorable you were. Especially when there’s more than one kid, it’s hard to slow down and really notice those milestones, like learning to talk and walk. You marvel at it for 2 seconds and then you’re throwing in another load of laundry.

Maxine: Aww. This is good for me to think about, because I do want kids one day.

Ann: I was always worrying about whether you were spilling juice on my white carpet and trying to keep everything neat. If I did it again, I wouldn’t care about that as much.

Aunty Susan would visit (she didn’t have kids at the time), and we’d be in the car and one of you would say something sweet, and Susan would turn to me and say: “Oh my god, that was so cute!” I’d be like, “What?” Because I wasn’t even listening!

Of course, after I got into real estate, it was worse. I’d be with you guys but on my phone with clients.

Maxine: It makes it even harder when you’re a working parent.

Ann: And I don’t regret the work, I had to do it.

Maxine: You have to do the work to have this life! But it’s about making sure you also take time to appreciate the present moment with the people you love.

Make small investments 🍏