Today we celebrated Negra’s 46th birthday and the 11th anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to their sanctuary. Since it’s Negra’s (honorary) birthday, we geared the day towards the things she truly loves. The morning started with a beautiful brunch featuring buckwheat carrot waffles (with a peanut butter drizzle) made with love by volunteer caregiver Patti, hard boiled eggs from my happy chickens, fresh roses and juicy plums!
I think this video of the waffle feast pretty much sums up how absolutely delighted Negra was.
Then for lunch we set out a giant lettuce forage. It’s really nice that simple things like a whole head of lettuce can still be so exciting to the chimps (even after 11 years!!).
Everyone enjoyed their lunch, but Jamie really wowed us (and not just because she collected a bunch of lettuce). It had more to do with what she decided to do after she filled her hands and mouth:
We were all in awe as she crossed an entire tightrope like this:
Here’s to many more years of waffle and lettuce celebrations!
Loved the happy sounds while devouring the waffles! And how delightful to eat roses, so charming!
Oh, what a beautiful, happy post! The food was literally beautiful, and the joy of the chimps while eating brought a huge, wide smile across my face. These chimp people seem truly happy and loved. Happy, happy birthday to Negra, and happy anniversary to all for your new safe homes.
I love this! Happy birthday, Neggie!
Hmmm………there are only 6 eggs on that beautifully arranged tray……
Burrito seemed to enjoy those waffles as much as Neggie, if not more! And Jo enjoyed the flowers! And you got a “thank you” grunt!
I love that Neggie, Queen of the Beggars, would not let Annie stare her down for some more waffle! And poor Foxie tried to get her good buddy Burrito to hand over some more….it almost looked as though he let her have the last piece.
Was Neggie really licking off the peanut butter first, before eating the waffle!?
What a beautiful celebration. A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Happy birthday to Queen Negra. Long live the Queen! Happy anniversary to all of you there as well.
I am so happy for the wonderful Negra on her (re-) birthday. I think that the sounds heard in this video are what primatologists identify as “happy noises.” Of course, I think that I might need to see and hear the video again (and again, and again) to verify the results of your (very successful, 11 years and running) experiment…buon appetito, ma carisime Negra.
Oops, that should be, “Mia carissima signora, Negra” in the previous line…Burrito’s laughter, Foxie’s food barking, and the birthday girl’s hoot of appreciation distracted me. Happy birthday and anniversary, Negra and friends.
Yea Negra! In reference to Jamie’s photo in the previous post, please submit todays breakfast presentation tray to EatingWell magazine for their next cover. WOW is that a glorious display of beautiful, healthy culinarily delights. Thank you Patti and Anna for your loving special touches. (Do you ever make extra and serve yourselves?Hee hee hee.) That video is THE very best of all time. Brought tears to my eyes listening to all the joyful food squeaks, oh Negra was clearly beside herself. Fantastic. What a celebration!
And Jamie deserves a prize for her tightrope act. She is amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving these seven beings as you do.
Wow…. Jamie has mad skills!!!! A tightrope with lettuce in every available spot …. fantastic photos!!!
Happy Birthday, Negra! Happy Sanctuary Anniversary Everyone! Sending you all – chimps & caregivers – lots of love and hugs! xoxoxoxox
Oh to be lucky enough to have a birthday party at CSNW! Negra certainly had a beautiful day of celebration and Jamie as always was incredible, perhaps doing a few acrobatic moves as a gift for Negra? Good luck with that.? This was an exceptional blog. We are passionate about chickens and there is nothing better than a free range egg, rich dark yolk that has everything in it to start a life. It is the perfect food. What a great treat for the chimps. Happy Birthday to Negra and to the sanctuary! Karen and Don
What a wonderful birthday celebration for Negra. She is so lovable. Many more years of joyful times ahead for all of the Seven. Love from your friends Down Under Michelle Xx
Wonderful post, lifted even MY spirits. The happy noises Negra made while eating her birthday feast, the amazing picture of Jamie walking the tightrope with mouth and both hands filled with her forage, makes this one of my very favoritest posts.
What I find totally fascinating is how delicate she is about eating her waffle. Some people would just take 2 giant bites and it would be gone but she is slowly and methodically eating little bites and what seems to be enjoying all the different things on her waffle. Very sweet !
Happy Birthday to the Queen !
I love this Video, thank you.
Happy Birthday, Negra! And Happy Anniversary to CSNW! Man, Negra was so excited about breakfast! 😀 She deserves every crumb and leaf of today’s celebration!
And, wow, Jamie is not only talented, but very strong!
Was this the first time anyone has seen her doing that? She’s full of surprises, that one.
Happy Celebrations, friends!
Marissa