A Sneak Peek of a Charming Small House, Chickpeas in Vodka Sauce, and More Sunday Faves

I have a confession. I’ve spent most of my design life walking into big houses and quietly thinking the small ones had more soul. This week’s favorites prove my point (at least to me), starting with a peek inside a little house that is all heart, followed by an appetizer you can feel virtuous about and still go back for thirds.

Pour yourself something nice. Here are my four and one surprise.

1. A Sneak Peek Inside Juliet’s Charming Small House

Kim (Northern California Style) and I recently went to lunch with our friend Juliet (Make Mine a Spritzer). Juliette asked us if we wanted to see her (nearly finished) new house ( are you kidding?). Juliet’s husband Jim recently retired and they sold their beloved “Snowberry” to downsize. Her new house stopped me in my tracks the minute I stepped inside. The attention to detail was pure Juliette, and I’ve been itching to share a few sneak peeks with you.

Let’s start with the millwork, because that’s where my interior designer heart goes first. Beautiful millwork is the difference between a house and a home with a point of view. It gives a room bones, interest, and it makes even a modest footprint feel considered. Juliette’s house has that quality you can’t fake with paint and a few throw pillows.

The primary bath is a little jewel box. Trust me you will love it!

As Steve and I keep looking at houses, I’ll admit this one has me rethinking square footage. A smaller home, done this well, is not a compromise. It’s an edit. Follow Juliet at Make Mine a Spritzer for the full reveal coming soon!

2. A Healthy Appetizer: Chickpeas in Vodka Sauce with Crostini

This is the hearty appetizer I’ll be making all fall. Chickpeas simmered in a silky vodka sauce, spooned over crisp crostini. It tastes indulgent, the way penne alla vodka does, but the chickpeas bring protein and fiber, so it eats more like a small meal than a guilty pleasure.

It’s also wonderfully forgiving. The sauce comes together in one pan, the chickpeas come straight from a canand the whole thing can be made ahead and warmed when friends arrive. Serve it in a shallow bowl with the crostini alongside and let everyone help themselves. A glass of something crisp and dry alongside it won’t hurt either!!

This recipe was adapted from Eating Well’s Chickpeas alla Vodka.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Chickpeas with Vodka Sauce & Crostini

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup vodka any brand is fine, as long as it’s not bottom shelf
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion cut into ¼-inch dice
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus additional to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic minced (about 4 teaspoons)
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup greek yogurt
• ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan plus additional for serving
• 1/2 cup baby kale
• 4 T freshly sliced basil
• 1/4 c fresh parmesan
• 1 sliced toasted baguette

Instructions

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown around edges, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 45 seconds.
• Stir in chickpeas, tomato sauce, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper and salt; baby kale cook, stirring often, until the chickpeas are warmed through, about 2 minutes. Add chopped fresh basil and parmesan before serving. Serve with crostini for dipping if served as an appetizer

3. Collected Look Outfits of the Week

You know I love a collected look. So when an influencer I know and adore told me recently that nothing I post looks like what everyone else is doing on Instagram, I took it as a compliment. Then I wondered if it really was one. (I’ve decided it was, whether she meant it that way or not.)

Because honestly, why would we want to look like everyone else? Do we really need the It bag of the moment, or the one pair of jeans every algorithm insists we buy this season? Heck no. We’ve earned the right to wear what we love and make it our own with accessories that tell our story. A vintage brooch, a scarf picked up on a trip, a bag that has outlived three trends. That’s the collected look, and it never goes out of style because it was never chasing style in the first place.

When I invest in something pricey it better work overtime!

I splurged and ordered the Pierre Louis Mascia scarf (a gift to me). The blazer is an investment from Vince. Nordstrom Rack has a great cheap chic option here. The bag is from TJ Maxx!

Here is a “cheap chic” look that wont’ break the bank. The faux suede jacket (also comes in chocolate)and scarf are from Zara, The bag is from TJ Maxx, my favorite Chicos jeans (I get asked if these are RL constantly) and comfy booties.

4. 1883 on Paramount

We are late to the party (what else is new?) We are watching the pre yellowstone miniseries 1883 that follows the Dutton family as they travel west acros the great plains to find a new home in Montana. Who knew that Faith Hill and Tim McGraw could be so good? Steve and I are loving 1883.

5. Our House Goes on the Market Friday

This one is bittersweet. This house, in the town we adore, goes on the market this Friday.

We have been here coming up on five years. We lived in our last home 35. This was a great move for us. I honestly feel like this is one of the greatest small towns on earth. I’ll admit I’ve been walking through the town and the rooms in my home a little more slowly this week.

I want to be clear about one thing. We aren’t leaving because we’ve fallen out of love with this place. We love this community, and the friends we’ve made here are the kind you keep for life. We’re moving for the one reason that could ever pull us away: to be closer to our kids.

I’ve always believed a house is meant to be loved well and then handed to someone who will love it next. Whoever lives here next is getting more than a house. They’re getting a wonderful town and some pretty terrific neighbors.

If you or someone you know has been dreaming of a home here, contact our realtor David Crabtree.

Until Next Sunday

If this week taught me anything, it’s that the best things rarely need to be big. A small house with good bones. A humble can of chickpeas dressed up for company, or a reason to make a big move. That’s a philosophy I’m happy to carry into this chapter.

I will be back on Tuesday with how I updated my guest bedroom without breaking the bank (before I knew we were moving).

In case you missed last weeks fab five you can find them here.

Now go see what Mary Ann and Annie are loving this week:

Classic Casual Home

Most Lovely Things