Since some people are complaining about February and midwinter doldrums, I'll chime in as a February avenger (I'll take a button for that if anyone wants to make one, kinda like a grammar avenger but for February). Update! Abby has made me/us a February Avenger button. You can find it here. And I rearranged my sidebar just to show it off. Thanks so much.
February is my birth month. Just for the 'awww' factor, here's my all-time favorite picture of me and my mom shortly after my birth. The freakish thing is, I look exactly like my mother. Everyone who sees that pic thinks that she is me and that the baby is my daughter.
Today is my daughter's birthday. If for no other reason, I can honestly and wholeheartedly celebrate February because I have a 17 year old who refuses to ask for anything for her birthday. Let me repeat that. There is no birthday present list. There was no Christmas list. I gave birth to a child who quite obviously has only half my genes.
Did I mention that she's really cool? And that she's baking an apple pie for her own birthday dinner? And that she's an artist? And that she keeps her room cleaner than I keep the rest of the house? If you can't stand the suspense, you can see a picture of her here, posted with her permission.
Other wonderful February things include þorrablót - what we need here is a midwinter festival, including drunken revelry and interesting food products. I read Nik's blog regularly, for interesting tidbits about life in Iceland. I'm inordinately fond of Iceland. The wool, the language, the country ... everything. Just for fun, go here and see a barometer of the political consciousness of the country. I have the original NYTimes advert page stuck to my refrigerator.
I don't see the need for dismissing a month of gray, and slush, and in-between weather and moods. I see the need for a celebration of it. It's a time for reflection and taking inventory. A time to deal with your winters past and look forward to your spring. Consider it 'down time'. Consider it whatever you want. But don't diss February just because you're anxious for something new. This is February. Deal with it. Enjoy it.
The photo of you and your mother is beautiful, and so is your daughter! I wish I could bring up my daughters as well as you are doing. Happy birthday to you and your baby!
Posted by: Siow Chin | 17 February 2005 at 05:56 AM
I love February! My birthday's in late January, so I think midwinter is fun, and February is cool because it's so short it's gone if you blink, because of groundhog day, because you get to enjoy the last bits of winter... because you've still got time to finish all those cold-weather sweaters you've been knitting... I am 100% with you on the February goodness. And Happy Birthday (to you and your daughter)!
Posted by: Krista Jo | 17 February 2005 at 07:02 AM
I also thought your mother was you. Pretty picture. I have children who NEVER ask for anything and love and appreciate anything they do get. It is refreshing don't you think? Your daughter is beautiful, pretty green eyes.
You've warmed my heart for the day ....thanks
Posted by: Cindy | 17 February 2005 at 07:03 AM
Thank you! As another February baby, let me say "hurrah for February".
Posted by: Colleen | 17 February 2005 at 07:04 AM
Thanks, I needed that.
(And I enjoyed the peek into your non-knitting life.)
Posted by: Jan | 17 February 2005 at 07:12 AM
My husband just celebrated our 13th anniversary on Feb. 15. We got married in February because we thought everyone would need/want/enjoy a party even more at that time of year and we weren't dissappointed - it was a great time! Happy Birthday to your beautiful February baby!
Posted by: Mary Beth | 17 February 2005 at 08:09 AM
Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter !
The photo of your mother and you is wonderful.
Posted by: Emma. | 17 February 2005 at 08:11 AM
Happy Birthday to both of you! Both pictures are beautiful - did you take the one of your daughter? I just love face close-ups. She has gorgeous eyes.
I'm right there with you on these winter months. Winter definitely gets a bad rap around these parts. Remember people! Without winter there is no spring!
Posted by: Cara | 17 February 2005 at 08:35 AM
Yes, you absolutely look a lot like your mother, and your daughter does look like you. BUT you can't take full credit. I think you should show the bloggers the whole story and post a photo of your very handsome husband too.
Posted by: Adelaide | 17 February 2005 at 08:46 AM
I'm sorry -- I don't mean to take away from your post at all -- but I'm still laughing over Mary Beth's (I'm sure inadvertent) statement that HER HUSBAND celebrated their 13th anniversary....heeheeeeeee Freud?! Hello, Freud?!
Posted by: Norma | 17 February 2005 at 08:58 AM
oh, and Happy Birthday, Bee!!!
Posted by: Norma | 17 February 2005 at 08:58 AM
Nothing's wrong with February. Nothing at all.
You have a beautiful daughter.
Posted by: claudia | 17 February 2005 at 09:59 AM
As a late January Baby, I just want to say that I am an equal opportunity winter month disser.
Happy birthday to you both. A very cool, talented 17 year old that asks for no gifts and makes pie is definitely worth a celebration. Every day.
Posted by: erin | 17 February 2005 at 10:06 AM
Hæ hæ
I hope you enjoy the Þorrablót. I am not particulary fond of these events, although I would probably have fun going to one, I certainly will not miss the food there. 'Interesting food products' you say, that's a very polite way of describing sour ram's testicals and such :o
Thankfully there are more things on the agenda. This weekend we have a Winter Festival in Reykjavik, I can't wait!
It's interesting to see your thoughts on the NYTimes ad. It is wonderful to know that there are people (the organizers) who wont be suppressed by the ruling government and act independently. Iceland (a country without an army) participated in a war, which the vast majority was against, and without even having a say on it!
p.s. good luck with your Nattrjöe :)
Posted by: Sonja | 17 February 2005 at 10:13 AM
What happened with Backyard Leaves? I can't take the suspense.
Posted by: Lauren | 17 February 2005 at 10:29 AM
The pictures are wonderful, and happy birthday to your daughter. Yay for green eyes - another green-eyed girl!
My husband and I are both February babies. I like February for that reason, and because here in the south I know a long hot summer is coming soon, so I enjoy the little winter we get for as long as possible.
Posted by: TAMARA | 17 February 2005 at 10:34 AM
Happy birthday to your daughter!
February has been mostly sunny and (fairly) warm here in Central Virginia, so no complaints here. :)
Posted by: Cathy | 17 February 2005 at 10:36 AM
Happy birthday to the February folks! Me, not a winter person, even though I live in the southern US where winter is characterized more by rain and general gloom than it is by really cold weather. I just want to hibernate from right after Christmas until about mid-March.
I'm glad there are folks that appreciate the season, though.
Posted by: Janice in GA | 17 February 2005 at 10:58 AM
What an incredibly beautiful picture of you and your mom. And your daughter is gorgeous. She sounds like an amazing woman.
Posted by: Nathania | 17 February 2005 at 11:47 AM
Today is my Dad's b'day. He's 79 and also didn't have a birthday present list.
I just love the photo of you and your mother. Priceless.
Posted by: susan | 17 February 2005 at 11:59 AM
button! :)
http://www.lemonmoonarts.com/knitting/buttons/febavenge.jpg
thought i'd post here too, in addition to the email. enjoy!
Posted by: abby | 17 February 2005 at 12:03 PM
Wonderful post and pictures! Happy Birthday to your 'little' grrl. She sounds awesome. So when is YOUR b-day.
There are no doldrums here...you should see our sky. It is blue, blue and the mountains are white, white. It's a perfect February day.
Posted by: Margene | 17 February 2005 at 12:14 PM
While it remains to be seen if I can get through February (which is inflicting some sort of vengeance on me) I admit that this one day is worth it.
Our daughters share a fondness for apple pie and a birthday. Who knew?
Posted by: stephanie | 17 February 2005 at 01:11 PM
Happy Birthday Bee, and Happy Birthday Cassie if I don't see you until the 23rd.
Posted by: Paul | 17 February 2005 at 02:16 PM
"This is February. Deal with it. Enjoy it. " Umm.... I tried. I thought of the wonderful people born in February. I thought of my very cool visit to New Mexico last week. I thought... Nope. Can't do it. The solar battery in my brain just can't function in February in the northern hemisphere. But your blog provided amoment of warmth and pleasure.
Posted by: Rob | 17 February 2005 at 02:41 PM