Happy New Year everyone!!
Many of you avid blog readers know that we like to celebrate the holidays here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and since it’s New Year’s Day, we decided to throw another party! Parties are a great way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, the changing of the seasons, and just-because days.
What gets the chimpanzees so excited about parties you might ask? Well, I’d like to sometimes think it’s all about how we decorate the various enclosures…
…but really, it’s more about the food and drinks. In fact, food and drinks tend to be the central theme to most any party.
Little did I know, until Diana brought it up, that there are traditional foods eaten the night before and on New Year’s Day. Black eyed peas, green foods, grapes and cabbage are a few foods considered to bring abundance, luck and prosperity in the New Year. And circle-shaped foods signify the year coming full circle. So, in keeping with the green foods tradition, we set out green grapes, lettuce and alfalfa cubes and included round nuts for the circle shaped foods…
…and sparkling apple cider for toasting.
To keep with tradition, the dinner for tonight will include black eyed peas with rice, topped with roasted onions and sweet potatoes.
Here are some of the pictures from this morning’s party in the Playroom.
Jamie
Missy
Burrito
Foxie
Annie
Negra
Jody celebrated the New Year upstairs in the loft, so I was unable to get any photos of her.
Wishing you and yours a most happy New Year!!!
So grateful to you that their first day of this new near was filled with so much happiness. Love to all – chimps and caregivers. You are all the very best !!! <3 <3 <3
Great photos of everyone enjoying your creative meals! CSNW celebrations are the best and I learned a thing or two as well.
Wonderful parties you all put on!!! Wish I could attend!! Love the orange slices on the drinks ~ such a gourmet touch! Thank you to all of you for all you creatively do for the chimps! They are sooo lucky now that they are home!! Hugs to all!
Once again we get to see how awesome you guys are and how wonderful and awesome are the Cle Elum residents. You put on a meal and celebration far exceeding what I got to eat this holiday!! and much more colorful. Happy happy new year to all!!
These photos, and the exceptional care you give these chimps, never ceases to touch my heart! I am so grateful to be able to share this experience (and will continue to offer proof of my appreciation in whatever small way I am able.)