In some traditions, it is said that animals speak in human tongue at midnight on Christmas Eve. While I have not heard an animal speak at midnight, I did notice some peculiarities this morning.
For instance, these Santas, left on the table after our Christmas feast, looked a bit spent this morning as sunlight streamed through the kitchen window. On closer look, they were just hugging and otherwise resting after adorning our dinner plates last night. Jason was the last person seen near them. Hum?
Later, when I went to set the table for some hearty leftover Beef Bourguigon, they seemed to have gotten a second wind, reminding me of the June Taylor dancers from the Jackie Gleason Show. I highly suspect that Antler Man had something to do with this display.
The sheep and others were roaming around the table, enjoying the bright sunlight. I think they were also enjoying the caramels, for when I 
looked in the candy dish, the pile of golden wrapped gems was greatly depleted. Bah! A lamb would never take a caramel – unless, of course, he was a black sheep. Bah! Bah!
Elsewhere in our little animal kingdom here on the Cutoff, the birds were resting in a Christmas tree, looking for the herd of wandering deer that roam our property. The deer have been bedding down elsewhere this winter. At least this far into December. The Christmas Buck that captured our attention survived last winter. We would see him limping, behind the others, but still foraging through the past year. We wondered where he slept this Christmas Eve. We may never know as the animals around here certainly aren’t talking.
I’ve been resting up after the busy holiday weekend – and anticipating more joy as the Minnesotans arrive for Christmas on the Cutoff, part two.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
While the cat’s away…. I love birds in Christmas trees. I believe I may have that same purple one at the top. Have fun with round 2.
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. . . the mice come out to play. The magic continues, Teresa. Thanks.
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Oh those animals are so mischevious! Especially the caramel eater. Christmas sounds like it was delightful in the cuff. Love the bird ornaments.
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Aren’t they, though? I think they had too many sweets. It was, and still is as family continues to be around. yea! Thank you, Sallie.
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It looks like magic has been at work on the table overnight, Penny 😀 There can be no other explanation for the caramels depleting in such an untimely fashion.
Enjoy part the second!
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Amazing what happens when the lights go out at Christmas, Kate. Part the second continues with the fun and magic.
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The little animals have been quite busy! 🙂
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Haven’t they, though? Tonight, one of the Santas was sliding out of a window. I wonder how that happened?
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Your ornaments are so cute, and perhaps they were up to some mischief on Christmas eve! Sounds like your Christmas was wonderful. Hope you enjoy your week; it’s so nice to have a little rest from all the festivities. Happy New Year to you, Penny!
Sunday xo
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Thanks, Sunday. It was, and continues to be so this week, with intervals of rest to be sure. Happy New Year to you a well, Sunday. Hope to catch up soon.
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I love your bird ornaments! I have mostly birdies in my tree as well. Santa and his animals can do anything, says my grandson. “Of course he can, he’s magic!”
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Thank you. What a wise grandson you have there, Mike. Magic, indeed.
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What fun among the animals! Here we had a camel and a fish finger puppet, talking to each other and getting up to all sorts of antics. I love your bird ornaments – they look so very nested and settled in the tree – unlike those pesky animals.
Enjoy Christmas part 2.
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My goodness. A camel and a fish finger. How interesting, Juliet. Best to keep an eye on them. Kezzie and I had some fun finding all the birds this evening.
I am, thank you.
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It was a camel and a fish, both finger puppets. Did I make it sound like a fish finger? Or is that just you making me laugh (yet again)?
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It was the way I read it, Juliet, at the end of a day of frivolity. A fish finger intrigued me. Maybe we’re on to the next best gimmick. tee hee. What fun it is to play with puppets, finger and otherwise, with a young one.
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Beautiful photos of the creatures adorning your Christmas! And I’m sure you are having, or had, a wonderful time with “the Minnesotans”!
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We’ve been inside, mostly, cozy and warm and enjoying the time together, Janet. We did run out for pizza tonight and a certain miss someone ate more than her Yia Yia! I’m sure you’ve been enjoying your own Kate being in. It goes so fast, doesn’t it?
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Christmas round two! I hope you DID rest up. I love the photos and the humorous observations. It makes me think I cleaned up some of our Christmas mess much too soon. Just think what I might have missed! Debra
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. . . and still going on, Debra. Loving every minute of it. The mess abides here still. Why clean it up when it is so much fun to play with wrapping paper and gift bags. tee hee We keep our trees up until epiphany, so, one more week, though I do think I’ll switch out the tablecloths to something more New Year’s-ish! Time for the animals to go back in the barn.
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There is indeed a folk belief in my part of the Lower Rhineland that the animals in the stable speak on Christmas Eve night. Perhaps it’s because the farmer goes out to give them a special feed of sweet hay. At least that’s what I think.
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I wonder if the Rhineland is where the lore originated, then, Friko? It is rather fun to think of the animals talking, but, then I’m a kid at heart. Hope your Christmas was merry. Happy New Year!
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