Pearls Before Swine » family

Let’s celebrate all things genuine (except for the tattoos)

Els Van Schoor — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 22:39:52 +0000

We’re not so rigid in celebrating Christmas and New Years Eve. Our festive plans change from year to year and are -thank god- never compulsory. We look at it as a good excuse to gather with the ones we love in a heartfelt and cosy atmosphere.

This picture was taken by Sofie Huybrechts, the talented Miss Fia, in her gorgeous fifties kitchen. We had organised an easy-going evening with some friends and the little ones. On the menu there was Nigella Lawsons Christmas Coleslaw, Nigella’s Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce (we used Grand Marnier instead of cherry brandy ;-)), and -of course- stuffed turkey. Lili was helping a bunch by arranging the appetizers in an order that made great sense to her.

I’m wearing a seventies vintage dress that I bought at the Rockabilly Day festival a while ago. My beehive hairdo is secretly supported by Kevin Murphy’s Powder Puff. Lili is wearing her all time favourite princess dress by H&M. On her arm she’s showing us her fake tattoos from Flying Tiger. The randomly placed hairpin was a must according to the little stylist.

An then there was New Years Eve… just us two, little one to bed, furniture aside and dancing the night away. We’re in our homewear, but, still, I’m wearing my Freed of London danceshoes and Pieter put on one of them nice vintage pairs.

If you look closely, you’ll find some leftover fake tattoos on my calves, a remnant of an evening of fake tattooing at Tours et Taxis, Brussels at a De Persgroep event. The only one with the real tattoos here is, in fact Pieter.

Viking Thing: the cradle of our democracy

Els Van Schoor — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:45:50 +0000

Past weekend, the Vikings landed in Elewijt, Belgium, for their yearly Thing. Things – from the Old Norse word þing, meaning assembly – were an early system of justice and administration. When the Vikings and early Norse settlers arrived in a new place they brought with them their customs and legal systems. Things were where political decisions were made, laws upheld and disputes settled. They acted as meeting places and were often the focus for trade and religious activity.

Having said this, I turn back to Elewijt, where there was a true reenactment of such a Thing. Vikings from Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, UK, … gathered there to demonstrate the different aspects of Northmen life. Me and my sister-in-law decided this was a perfect excursion with the kids. If only they were not this grumpy, they might have loved it. Oh well, the mummys had a great time.

The first highlight of the Viking convention for me consisted of the sight of a 4 horned sheep. I think, this must have been a Black Hebridean Sheep, but I’m not quite sure. What I do know, is that this breed was popular during the Viking era and that it is a damn strange creature. The lady at the entrance told us, that these bad ass sheep could wear up to 6 horns on their little clueless heads… say what??

The second fun moment for me, not being an actual Viking connoisseur I must admit, was the photoshoot with “shieldmaiden” Lili. She loved swaying her wooden sword in a dangerous way and wore her tunic with pride. Maybe I should’ve called her “Brynhildr” instead…

Picture by Liesa Vanhamme .