An Art Show, Cold Springs, and Cold Water Chocolate Cake

I am continually amazed at how my 9 year old son Walker has no fear.  No fear of jumping off 30 foot cliffs into raging water, no fear of being on a 30 foot cliff above raging water, no fear of cold water.  I am afraid of all of those things.  We have been going on a lot of hikes to different swimming holes this past week up in the mountains, and while I wear my bathing suit to all of them, getting in the water really just doesn’t happen.  Finally, we were at Babel Tower on a group hike where the picture to the left was taken, and Walker was begging me to go in.  There were about 40 people on this hike, most of whom I knew, but I stood on the edge of a 5 foot jump with a line of children behind me waiting to go, and I couldn’t do it.  I am not sure if it was the fear of jumping or the cold water, but I could not throw myself off of that terrifying cliff.  I did spot a ledge just about two feet off the water and climbed down to that one and finally jumped.  The water was freezing and the whole experience was just not that fun, but Walker, of course, made it all worth it by running up to me after I got out of the water, “I am so proud of you Mommy!” And then he went onto this jump. (My brother was with him and there were lots of other braver adults supervising just so you all don’t think I am a completely reckless mother.)  All of this cold mountain water got me thinking about using cold water in a recipe, so I googled “cold water cake” and found this great recipe on www.cooks.com for Cold Water Chocolate Cake.  I can’t think of anything better than chocolate cake after freezing water and a long hike!  The recipe is at the bottom.

I have to talk about the art show that we went to the other night.  Two wonderful family friends set up an art show for the community at the Pavilion the other night, and I was blown away by their talents.  Bo is an amazing painter who  had pieces of her farm animals on display.  They were so beautiful and such interesting pieces.  Murray is the most talented quilter I have ever seen.  I have one piece of hers that I truly cherish.  Her quilts look like paintings or photographs of fantastic mountain scenes.  Here is an example of a piece she had in the show.  I am utterly in awe of her talent.  You can find more about her at her website  http://www.murrayjohnstonartquilts.com/. 

We only have a few days left in the mountains and then back to Charleston where hopefully they have fixed the AC.  I can’t believe it is August already and school starts in two weeks.  Please send in any back to school favorite recipes or traditions- would love to post them!!

Cold Water Chocolate Cake

Ingredients: