These little rascals tell an amusing story. Who, me?
Yes, you. And your brother, diving into the centre of a bed of flowers.
Aaaannd … coming out the other side.
Before we bought the Cape House in 2009, Glenn and I used to spend the occasional night at Blantyre, a country house hotel in Lenox, Massachusetts, on our way to a vacation cottage rental in Cape Cod. Now that we have our own place, we usually have a car full of animals, rendering the overnight stays a happy thing of the past.
If your breakfast order at Blantyre included steel-cut oatmeal, you were lucky enough to have it served in one of these bunny bowls. The hotel had bought a bunch of them when Fitz and Floyd first produced the Bunny Hollow Collection and they formed a charming modern addition to their extensive collection of antique tableware, for which they were renowned.
There is a girl bunny…
…and a boy bunny. He is naughtily leaping into the flowers, so only his back legs show.
..which always worried me a little bit when I ordered the oatmeal. I didn’t want him to be too uncomfortable down there, dipped in oatmeal…
The bowls were extremely popular, and not just among the female guests. Everyone loved them, and we were all concerned as the supplies dwindled as the years took their toll on these delicate treasures. Finally, the bowls were retired from use when the hotel was down to one of each, boy and girl.
We had sat down to breakfast sometime in 2009 when I was very disappointed to notice new tableware in use. The table next to us was more than disappointed. The gentleman had received his oatmeal and was lamenting “First the market crash, now no bunny bowls???” He was kidding, sort of. We all ate our very delicious breakfasts in the nice, modern china they had selected, but it wasn’t the same.
While I had been collecting tableware for years, I was new to eBay, and these were my first foray. I managed to track down one of the boy bowls, and added another one and one girl over the next couple of years. The third type is not part of the Bunny Hollow series, but it works quite well.
She’s quite pretty, and I do love the flowers on the base of the tureen. The soft pastel colours all work together. I’m now on the lookout for a couple more, as we are one short if all five granddaughters want oatmeal at the same time, and I’d like to have a spare, just in case.
I set this table sometime last spring, and tucked the bulbs from the centrepiece into the garden when they had done their thing. We shall see if they return this year with blooms. I’ve had good luck with that, especially if you can get them into the garden and settled fairly quickly after they’ve finished blooming. Mascari and larger hyacinths have been particularly cooperative, though tulips can be a bit tricky. I’m never sure if it’s the replanting or just the hungry deer on the tulips; deer don’t like hyacinths or daffodils, so they remain unmolested.
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
I like the odd-man-out bunny even better than the others…she’s lovely. Any marks?
I’ve lived in several deer-prone areas (NoCal, CO), and nothing has ever worked (red pepper, chicken wire, moth balls, hair, whirligigs, etc.) except an 8-foot fence. That’s why last year I put narcissus out in the garden and tulips in pots *just to be careful*. On the valley floor, with such shy European species, it’s unlikely deer would venture out of the surrounding forest. We should be able to plant cautiously near the house next year. Wish me luck, as I love tulips, esp. the multi-headed type and parrots! I always get seriously carried away by the Dutch catalogs that appear on the doorstep. (P.S.: We seem to be mercifully lacking in the bunny department too. They probably all get shot by the hunters practicing for deer season!)
The odd man out bunny is also Fitz and Floyd, but not sure what collection she belongs to…
I too am a huge fan of parrot tulips, but haven’t had much luck other than cut versions through a florist or grocer. I heard one gardener refer to tulips in Canada as “annuals”. Hmmm, you may have soemthing there…
That head first diving bunny is the coolest!!! What a beautiful collection! You just can’t beat Fitz & Floyd. Iconic and always a welcome addition to a tablescape!
Isn’t he a riot? I was never sure which one I was actually rooting for when waiting breathlessly for my porridge, er, oatmeal, whilst at Blantyre. It’s a tough choice!
Those bowls are adorable! I’m so glad you were able to find some for yourself, and for your grandchildren to use.
Still on the hunt, Joy. I’d like to add a few to the collection against future breakage or additions to the herd. :).
I’ve never seen anything this adorable for the spring/Easter season. They look delicate and I would have to wait until my granddaughters are about 10. The 3 yr old occasionally throws things on the floor. Bunnies are cute until they eat farmer Bill’s veggies in his hard worked garden. Very sweet table setting. My friend loves your blog. I took a pic of the center of her table when we were there in AZ. I’ll send the photo I took. Most of her STUFF is in Montana where she does some appreciable entertaining. Cheers!
Hmmm… good thoughts, Maura. Perhaps a bit of time before we unleash the bowls. The youngest is 18 months ish. The eldest is a well-mannered 6 year old. We have a collection around 4 – give or take…
Looking forward to the pictures!
Ms. Kain,
From now on every bowl of oatmeal served without a bunny bowl will be a disappointment.
Regards,
Elizabeth Speicher
My thoughts, exactly. It’s hard to reconcile plain oatmeal sans bunny bowl.
Maura & Bill Gartland were visiting us in AZ when Maura told me about you, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that she did! I’m loving your blog & your photography along with your descriptions. It makes for very inspiring reading! We’re hoping to visit them on the Cape & would love to meet you if you’re in town. I am definitely a Fan! All the best, Toni Vincent
Welcome, Toni! Thank you for your lovely comments. I am so pleased that you are enjoying the blog; it’s a crazy hobby of mine, and I’m delighted when people have fun alongside. I look forward to meeting you in the Cape. Have a great day, and thanks again.
Those bowls are divine! Hard to store I image though with all the tableware you have? If I wasn’t maxed out on storage id immediately go on the hunt for 4.
They’re not too bad to store, Debbee, as they’re not awfully big. About the size of a cereal bowl with a lid. I keep them in the Butler’a pantry as they’re popular with the granddaughters. I noticed a few more on eBay recently, so if you can squeeze them in… just sayin! Hehe.
OMG! I have been a fan of Fitz & Floyd since the seventies. How on earth did I miss these little darlings?! I’m going to keep telling myself that I don’t need another thing, while I search for them. 🙂 (I’m sure you understand.)
Try searching “Fitz and Floyd lidded bowl” on eBay, Pattie. There are usually a few lurking out there. Good luck!
Each one of these F&F bowls are just so precious!! What a wonderful collection, happy you showed them off here!!
They really are quite charming. I’m hoping to get enough to pass along at least one to each of my granddaughters.
Easter Over load!!! Adorable!
I’ve managed to snag about seven of them now – more boys than girls, but I’m keeping my eye out for more lady-bowls. I’m hoping the grandkids each get a set for their own homes, in time. 🙂