Last week Hubby and I went on a little week-long vacation to paradise. (And it’s not a vacation to the beach unless I take a toe picture)
Away from a week of rain and unseasonably cold weather in Mars to a week of sunshine and warmth and sand and sea at a lovely resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (And yep – this is what my hair looked like the entire week- curly and blowing in the sea breeze … I gave up trying to do anything with it after about two days.)
Riu Palace Bavaro was a lovely treat. (The pool basically flowed toward the beach and into the ocean like magical liquid.)
The colors of turquoise and teal and blue and green against the white sand might be the most beautiful I have ever seen. (I can’t wait to find time to try to paint them!)
We found the most perfect spot on the beach that was on a bit of a perch under a few palm trees where the breeze made even 84 degrees feel cool and comfy. (And our little flamingo clips from our daughter-in-law before we left held our towels on the chaise lounges and made it easy for us to find our “saved” seats.)
My view looking UP…
It was fun to come back to the room each day to see what the staff had created out of bath towels (and fresh flowers ever day!)
And the food was so magnificent! (some healthy…)
(and some just delicious!)
If we walked far enough down the beach, we found some fun little shops (that seemed to just continue right into the ocean.)
We ventured away from the resort for a couple of excursions.
We loved the Outback Safari Adventure with Angel as our funny, informative, and engaging tour guide and Leo as our amazing driver who took us through tiny villages (this was an elementary school)
and up into the hills of the “real” Dominican Republic to experience the culture.
We toured a home. (the natives love colorful homes)
The main part of the house had a living room (shown below), two bedrooms – one for the parents and the other for the five children, and a storage room. (bathrooms are outside of the house)
Of course I was interested in the kitchen. (It was a separate building in this home)
This family grew coffee and cacao and made their own coffee and cocoa butter (which I bought some of). This is how chocolate begins…
We also got to see a gentleman who hand rolled cigars as his profession for the past 30+ years (bought some of these for my boss).
We saw beautiful flora (bird of paradise plant below)
and fauna (I think this Peacock is the REAL bird of paradise!)
and experienced some of the natives and other creatures… (Hubby is a brave one – eh?! Brave or CRAZY…. or possibly full of rum! wink!)
As if the snakes weren’t enough…. Yes – that is a TARANTULA on this man’s FACE!
We ended this tour with a visit to a beach that was NOT occupied by resorts and where the natives hung out. (It reminded us a bit of Hawaii)
Another excursion took us out on a party catamaran boat which began with snorkeling in a small spot off shore with sting rays and nurse sharks! (this time I was even brave!)
and ended with (more) rum and music and laughing (and extremely bad hair – thank goodness for this hat!).
There are more stories… but some things that happen in Punta Cana – need to stay in Punta Cana! (or only be told in person… 🙂 )
It was an amazing week and wonderful vacation, but there really is no place like home. (even though we left at noon in 84 degrees F sunshine and arrived late afternoon to 44 degrees F and SNOW showers in Mars!)
It was especially wonderful to come home to celebrate a belated Mother’s Day with Jake and Nick and Colleen who made a lovely Sunday brunch for us, brought plants and flowers (in real life AND in a surprise Debi Riley painting!)
What a difference a day makes (or seven!)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Looks like you had a beautiful time, wonderful photos, cute pics of the two of you…the tarantula on his face?? Noooooo.
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I know right! Snakes are bad enough but tarantula!!! 😝
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Oh those colors! So glad you were able to get away and have a great time Jodi. Wonderful.
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Thanks Sylvia! And I don’t think the photos even do the colors justice!! 💙
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What wonderful photos! thank you for sharing your time on vacation with us! Absolutely spectacular!
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It was so beautiful! Glad you enjoyed! 😊
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Now, are you going to draw those toes? LOL. When I first saw it, I thought at once about my “feet on the beach” watercolor and wondered again just whose toes I’d painted.
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Lol!
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Looks amazing!! I love a vacation especially by the beach. And that peacock…wow!
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I wish the photo even did that beautiful peacock half the justice it deserves ! iPhone photos only on this vacation. 😉
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So glad you had such an amazing time!
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Thanks Frances. It was a beautiful place in this earth.
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Truly looks like a dreamy place to be!! Beautiful water! Loved that you visited their houses, so cool to see them. How would you like to work in a kitchen like that? 🙂 There would NOT be enough rum to make me have a tarantula on my face!!! Maybe the snake 🙂 Welcome Home and glad you made so many beautiful memories to cherish in the years to come! How nice to come home to a Mother’s Day celebration! Sweet kids! Love the painting.
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You would love it c!!! I feel so very blessed all around. 😍
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LOL! Don’t know why it says anonymous up above, it was from me 🙂 Have a great day!
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Thanks for letting me know!!
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So glad you had such a beautiful week away!
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Thanks Kathy! It was quite magical.
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Oh my gosh! What a fabulous vacation! Paradise! The photos are all amazing, Jodi. I bet it was hard to leave that place and come home to snow showers. Thanks for sharing your lovely vacation with us.
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Paradise indeed and only iPhone photos. Hard to leave but no place like home. 😉
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Woo what amazing photos! Wow, painting fodder forever! And yay for the DR painting! 😀 Sounds like an amazing time! The warm weather will work its way here eventually, hehe. I hope you have sunshine this morning! Have a great week!
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The sun is shining but still cold. It is trying to warm up. Life is good. 😊.
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Isn’t it wonderful to get away 🙂 but there is nothing better than coming home to one’s own bed don’t you think. Your little vacay, looked amazing, great pic’s Jodi 🙂
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You are so right indeed Lynne! 😉
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Beautiful pictures x
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Thanks. It was a magical place.
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Oh how dreamy and beautiful Jodi. You have hours of inspired painting ahead. Thank you for the adventure through pictures of your magical trip. And, Debi’s painting, the cherry on top.
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Indeed Sharon! Dreamy and beautiful! And now I have a Sharon Mann and a Debi Riley hanging in my home. Two cheery cherries on top!!!
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Lol, that’s right!! Enjoy.
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Welcome home…..Punta Cana is really paradise…xo
Sent from my iPad
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Sure is. Thanks aunt Gwen! 😘
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Beautiful place, wow!!!
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It really is! 👍
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Wow, what a vacation – looks and sounds wonderful! The pictures were fun except for the snakes and tarantula, I could have done without seeing that one! Thanks Jodi for taking us with you – I enjoyed it! Happy Monday to you! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed. (at least most of them)
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Lol!!
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For minute I thought you and Hubs were In my backyard-no kidding Jodi!!! Love you got away, love the pics, love that the lifestyle is like mine everyday! Add in 5 children, hubs, 6,000 sq. ft home. one acre garden, herbs, lemon, limes, coconuts, bananas, pool, beach, sand, 9 web sites have I tired you yet? Welcome to my world…You look happy!!! Love from sunny Florida. Cheryl xx
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Well lucky you!!!!!!
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I can share with you anytime Jodi! Where is Mars anyway??? xx LOL
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Near Pittsburgh pa. Where in Florida are you ?
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Pennsylvania I love PA. Love Lancaster-the Amish…I am on a coastal barrier Island near New Smyrna Beach, Florida (Central Florida Coast!). The big Atlantic is my back yard (less a 30 foot seawall). LOL really…
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You are indeed fortunate!
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I was raised just 30 minutes North so the Atlantic was always my back yard-I have 4 older brother’s, parents, in-laws all living within 45 minutes of each other. woo-hoo its family all the way. My babies are 11 y.o, 9, 7. frat.twins 5 y.o. that’s five-(no I am done) Thank u. I sit on my hair although it is tied up most days, wear shorts and tops and flip flops every day. There you have it in a nutshell Jodi!!! xx
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You are busy in paradise!!! 😝
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Yes the machines are spinning as I type, the oven is baking some freezer foods, all 9 web sites are current. I may have to fall into the pool after while-LOL xx
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Wow! Bottle that up. I’m sure we’ll be seeing these colors transferred into paint! (K)
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☀️💙🌴
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Looks great! So glad you were able to be vacation and be spoiled on Mother’s Day.
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Thanks Mandi! I am very blessed 🙂
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Awesome pics!
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Thank you Sonia
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Looks like a wonderful little runaway! Some sun, some sea, some sand & of course some rum!
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a Rum-a-way 🙂
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Ha! Even better!
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haha!
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Lucky lady!! I can do without the snakes and tarantula but otherwise I am envious. I can feel the warm sunny breezes and hear the rustle of the palms. sigh.
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Me tooooo Susan! Hubby is the crazy one! 🙂
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Understatement? But while on holidays let them do whatever, right!!? 🙂
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Jodi, what beautiful photos of your get away to an inviting sunny, Dominican Republic. Coming back to snow flurries must have been quite a temperature shock! Happy you had a fun time away. 💛 Elizabeth
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Thanks Elizabeth – woke up to 31 degrees this morning, but the sun came out and it warm, warm, warmed up to mid 60s and enjoyed a lovely afternoon walk with Charlie 🙂
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The colors are AMAZING there! WOWZA! So happy you and your hubby got to escape to paradise and enjoy some R&R together!!! Fun to see all your photos – thanks for sharing them! 🌈💜🌞🍹🏖🌴
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The colors were truly indescribable! 🙂
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Fun, sun, ocean, and palms—I could do without the tarantulas, though. Anything with more than four legs I tend to find a little more than disturbing—particularly if it’s standing on my face. Those kind of getaways are great, aren’t they, Jodi? :O)
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I totally agree with your “leg” philosophy Paul! 🙂
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😀
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Jodi, you sure had a most glorious time!! and your holiday photos are wonderful! gorgeous ocean and beach with pretty pink toes too 🙂
not too sure about snakes….. I’m with you on hats on holidays a definite ‘must’! I did see the DJR print,
my goodness… thank YOU JODI!! may you get many years of enjoyment from it 🙂 the colors appear to be, pretty much spot on. yay.
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My son Nick has heard me mention my love of your art and surprised me with it. 😉
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that was so totally awesome of him!! what a lovely son 🙂 that really is sweet!!! pretty amazing actually, …. nice young man.
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Ps. My son said he emailed you to try to get s special order but didn’t hear back. Do you recall an email from Nick McKinney?
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oh dear, Jodi – I don’t recall any… I will recheck!! I do have trouble with the (gmail) a lot!
so, have him use rileydj@hotmail.com with “JODI” as subject line and it should get to me no worries!!
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maybe you want to change the email address on your website if you have trouble with it…. Don’t want to lose potential customers! 🙂
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Yes, things need changed!! I’ve just got notices of emails corrupted; which followed my hard drive failure As well as, my backup system failed . Its a bit a a new challenge, Jodi!!!
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Oh, thanks Jodi, for taking us on the tour and sharing your adventures! It looks like an amazing place. So glad you had a great time!
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Thanks Carol – it was a lovely getaway! 🙂
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Oh what fun Jodi!! Looks like you had a wonderful time! 🙂
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We sure did Linda! But then it is always good to come home too 🙂 No place like it!
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Home is the best! Always 💞💞
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It is wonderful to visit lovely places, but no place like home 🙂
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Wow what a gorgeous place and lovely time you had! Wow I want to go next time pleaseeeeee xxx
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Ooooookkkkkkkay! 🙂 LOL!
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Wow. Beautiful pictures from two beautiful people. Sweet, sweet memories.
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Thanks – we will surely cherish the memories 🙂
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WOW! What an amazing trip… it’s all so beautiful and deep BLUE! Looks like a fabulous time! And gorgeous toes! Hehe… Next time, I’m going with you… simply stash me in your luggage. Thank you.
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Deal! 🙂
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Sounds like a honeymoon, except for the snakes and spider! What about poor Charlie???? Your photos are beautiful, love the line of shops on the sand. I know you are itching to get your paint brush out!
Jenna
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Charlie was in good hands Jenna! Our son Nick was here most of the time, and when he had to travel for work, his sweet girlfriend Liz stayed here to be with our furry baby! 🙂
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Wonderful! ❤💙😎🍡🌺💃
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It really was Catherine 🙂
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Wow, Jodi…those are some gorgeous photos. The colors are so amazing and vibrant. How did you ever leave?…:) I’ve heard the DR is really beautiful. I’m glad you had such a great time. Being home is always great but that diversion is not bad, is it..:)
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So true dear George! 🙂
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Fantastic looking get away, (love all the photos, cool sunglasses and cute colored nail polish), and what a beautiful homecoming. Thank you for sharing a little trip to an island retreat.
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Awh! Thanks Haunani! You live somewhere tropical – right?
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Yes indeed, Hawaii. But it is always so enjoyable to see what others look at on their tropical adventures in far away islands. It helps to remind me to get out of the studio now and then. ;D
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Paradise! Great pink on the toes!
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🙂 Thanks Lynda!
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Beautiful and colorful pictures, Jodi! It looks like paradise….I believe the worst part for me would be the change in weather!😊😎
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It really was like paradise, but then again – paradise to me is being with the people I love – so no matter the weather – paradise can exist in many places 🙂
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I totally agree with that!😉
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Looks absolutely fabulous Jodi!!
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Thanks Nancy!☀️
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