19 March 2012

Special gifts & Japanese Indigo seeds

I've received a couple of gifts lately that made me really happy.  Maybe they were a bit unusual - there might be a woman or two out there who wouldn't feel the same glee as yours truly.  But honestly, I feel so fortunate to have a husband who really have a knack for gifting. How about this beauty?




I don't know the english word for it - or if there even is an english word for it - it's called a gruekedel in danish. An old fashioned laundry thingy, that boils large amounts of water. You get the point, hmm? I've really needed one for such a long time - and the other day my husband comes home carrying this dear monster. I picture myself dyeing in the garden this summer - huge amounts of fabric and yarn - while comfortably lolling in a hammock.

And this was a special gift too - a Hapalopilus Nidulans, found by my aunt who's a natural dyer herself. It was growing on a dead Sorbus Aucuparia, one of its favourite hosts. I'm going to shread it, before dyeing a lovely purple with it. When I got the courage ...

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By the way; I have got more seeds from my japanese indigo than I'll be able to use. And they have to be sown this uear because they don't keep long. They are organically grown, a species with red stems, pointed leaves and pink flowers. If you'd like to try and grow some, please drop me a line and we'll work something out. I'm not going to charge anything for them. But if you have something to trade with, that could be fun.


12 comments:

  1. Mona you'r a very lucky girl with such a husband and a grunkedel...............

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  2. you sound as if you have a husband like minbe..we are very lucky ladies. I would be interested in your seeds/flowers. What would you like in exchange?xxlynda

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    1. Hi Lynda - trading isn't necessary, just for the fun of it. If you can't think of anything it's perfectly all right!! Just pm me your address, and I'll mail them right away so you gan get started sowing :)
      Mona

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  3. in Australia such an instrument would be lined with copper and has thus always been referred to as "the copper". lucky you! i traded a shawl for something similar quite recently too.

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    1. 'Copper', thanks! I saw the translation somewhere, but thought it meant the more old fashioned type that is wood fired. This one burns gas, which is a bit easier to control, I hope. My husband actually got this one for free - which is almost a miracle in this money obsessed country we're living in ...

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  4. elemaitch@yahoo.co.uk let me kn ow your email and l will send you my addressxxxxso excited!xx

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  5. mona you are so lucky!! I love that gruekedel. I even like the word, gruekedel. For me it looks mysterious and magical. have fun!!!

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  6. Lucky you, sweet and thoughtful husband. I can just picture you this summer..bubbling away!

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  7. what a lucky fungal find: ive always wanted to find one but i dont think they grow here. cant wait to see the purple dye you get.

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  8. OHH if you have still some seed ..happy to swap for a London 's eucalyptus !

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    1. Japanese Indigo seeds have to be sown within a year after harvesting. I'll have some new seeds this year, and I'll be happy to swap too! I'll write a post when they're ready!

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  9. Thank you! Your blog is special! One love. Betty

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