Hey Youse Guys

     Last week I saw reference to several dialect tests on Slate Magazine. I've taken a few in the past, and the results usually aren't surprising. Of course my results indicate a Boston, Providence, Maine dialect. (See the dark red area?)

     I always think it's fun to take the quiz anyway. I remember kids saying "youse guys" when I was young. I never used that phrase, but other words are deeply embedded like 'rotary' and 'firefly' and 'highway.' Mainly I still use these words because I wasn't aware of alternatives. I never heard 'roundabout' or 'traffic circle' or 'freeway' until adulthood.

Interestingly, my dialect is least like Detroit and New Orleans.

     Other words I did use as a kid, mainly 'tonic,' for 'soda,' but I don't use them anymore. I would never call 'soda' 'pop' though! Also, I would NEVER say 'ant' for 'aunt.' (I think Bostonians are correct about this pronunciation). Other curious Bostonian words are 'spa' and 'packie.'

Cathrineholm

     Cathrineholm is not a person, but a factory that existed in Halden, Norway from 1907 to 1975. It is most famous for making a fabulous line of cookware, designed originally by Grete Prytz Kittelsen and others. Grete worked at the Cathrineholm factory from 1955 to 1972, and was known as a leader in Scandinavian design. She also made jewelry and silver pieces.

Apparently Grete was responsible for the form and colors of the bowls and plates, but another designer, Arne Clausen, is credited for the lotus flower pattern. Grete did not care for the lotus pattern, believing it distracting. 

     Cathrineholm made bowls, plates, coffeepots, and, best of all, fondue pots. I bought a fondue pot the other day at the Cambridge Antique Market and I love it! What better representation of mid-century design than a fondue pot? My pot seems unique because it is not the typical Cathrineholm lotus pattern. Researching online, it also appears that black and white was a less common color than orange, yellow, or blue.

     
Grete Prytz Kittelsen was an interesting woman.

She married the architect Arne Korsmo and they lived in a very modernistic house he designed. He died in 1968, but she lived on working for many years. Grete lived to be 93, just passing away in 2010.

Latest Additions to the Museum of the Baronesque

     The Museum of the Baronesque has added some new kitchen items to the repertoire. My recent fondue party in March was so much fun that a retro fondue pot seemed an appropriate and necessary purchase. For my birthday I went over the Cambridge Antiques Market and wandered around for several hours. Here are my new finds. The fondue pot is definitely the highlight! Not only is it black and white, and retro 60s, but it was made and designed in Norway.

1.  Cherry juice Glasses. Too cute for words! 

2. Refrigerator Glass- For Keeping leftovers. What leftovers?

3. Cathrineholm Fondue Pot 

Zach Playing LaCrosse