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For the last two years I have wanted a pair of Hunter Tall Rain Boots. Never mind that it rarely rains where I live. Never mind that when it does rain, I hardly ever leave the house. I wanted them. The fun colors. The squeaky soles. I loved the idea of them. I imagined myself stomping in puddles and squealing with delight. I’ll let you know if that ever happens.

Last year, I saw Hunter Rain Boots for $75 at Nordstrom Rack and I did not buy them. And, yes, I am still bruised where I kicked myself. I have been on the hunt ever since.

Two days ago I was at Costco and they had rain boots. They looked almost exactly like my Hunter Tall Rain Boots. On closer inspection, I realized they were Chooka brand. But they were a pretty color (dark green) and only $30. I bought one pair for myself and one pair for my daughter. I scanned the sky for rain clouds. Nothin’. But I am prepared now (Saturday, I’m talking to you). I suggest if you want these rain boots you buy them soon. Our Costco was down to approximately ten pairs of assorted sizes in mixed colors (black, green, and bright pink).

While doing some research online I found that this is a really good deal for these boots. However, I found something more.

Costco has Hunter Tall Rain Boots online for $80 (shipping included). $80! The average retail price is $140. You must be a Costco member to purchase from their store. The colors available are black, navy, dark olive, and red. That sound you hear is me hyperventilating.

Thirty dollars or eighty dollars? Oh, how I love the Hunter logo on the front of those rain boots. If I had not known about my thirty dollar pair, there would be no hesitation. With the holidays here, I am choosing practicality. I found a unique review on Hunter Rain Boots on this blog. It kind of made my decision easier. However, if I lived in a wetter climate, I might choose differently. They are just so perty. But I don’t. So, I won’t. Good bye my sweet Hunter Rain Boots. Maybe one day we will be together. Hello cheaper but still really cute green ones.

I wanted to let you guys know about these fun options.

It’s the little things: toasty toes kept dry from the rain in fun discounted colors. What more could a girl want?

Do you own a pair of rain boots? Do you dance in the puddles?

* The Hunter Boots photos are from the Costco website.

** Yes, I am a dork for posing with my umbrella. Gotta love a prop! ; )

If you would like to see more pictures of these boots and a story about me being an even bigger dork. You can click here.

I love this recipe. It is one of my favorites. My kids like it, too. My husband does not like it. He is a big-on-texture guy and he can not get past the soaked tortilla chips (I do not want to use the word “mushy”) used in this recipe. I think this chili reads more like a hot dip because of it. But I love dip! We eat this a lot when my husband is at work.

I watched Rachael Ray make this recipe on her talk show when it was on. It looked so easy and good. I could not wait to try it.

And I did. And it was.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts cooked and cut into pieces (I just use a rotisserie chicken)
4 cups chicken stock (1 carton)
3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1/4 cup chopped onio
2 minced garlic cloves (I just use 1 frozen packet)
1 Tbsp. Chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 seeded and chopped jalapeno
1 16 oz. jar of green salsa (salsa verde)
1 bottle of beer (anything you have or like)
Juice from 2 limes
Bag of tortilla chips (2 handfuls of tortilla chips set aside)

Optional Toppings

Chopped cilantro
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

I normally would never write down someone else’s recipe that I have not changed. However, there are a few things written in her recipe that I do differently (and that I remember her doing differently on the show). So, I am going to do a step by step.

Pour olive oil in a dutch oven or other pot you use for soups and stews until hot. Add onions and jalapeno. Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Add garlic. Cook an additional minute. Now add your spices and stir around in onion mixture for one minute.

Turn off heat and add beer. Turn heat back on and add salsa and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Add chicken. (Sometimes I add a can of chili beans). Simmer for fifteen minutes.

In the meantime, grind your handfuls of tortilla chips. I do not have a food processor, so I beat mine with a mallet in a large ziploc bag. No anger issues here. ; )

Add ground or super smashed tortilla chips to pot after fifteen minutes of simmering from the instructions above has passed. Continue simmering with tortilla chips now in pot for eight minutes. Stir every few minutes so tortilla chips do not clump together or stick to the bottom of the pan.

Turn off heat. Add lime juice. Stir.

Serve in bowls topped with cilantro and other optional toppings. We dip our tortilla chips into this yummy indulgence and walk away full and happy.

Thanks Rachael Ray for a recipe that has made us happy for years!

P. S. I shared this on Savvy Southern Style!

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

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It’s The Little Things: Rain Boots

Rachael Ray Green Chicken Chili