Thursday, December 25, 2014

Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Navidad is the holiday greeting used here in Puerto Rico,  where my  family and my sister's family are for our holidays. 


The latest garment out of my sewing room was one  for the trip.  Yes, it is a two piece bathing suit. Yes, it is for me, Yes, my age is closer to 60 than 50. A two piece? yes! Why? Because I can.  Because I am not dead yet!



The fabric is a snakeskin print swimwear fabric from http://www.lowpricefabric.com/   Quality, adult themed printed swimwear is one of the hardest fabrics to find, even from online vendors.  When I saw this, I hit the Buy Now button even though shipping from the west coast is not cheap. The top is  Butterick pattern 6578, a OOP pattern from 2000. It has halter straps extending into princess seaming on the cup.


  The pattern had pieces for A/B cups and C/D/ cups.    The suit is lined with a skin colored knit swim suit lining. I used the zigzag stitch on my sewing machine to apply the elastic to the inside of the suit edges so I would have control over the stretch of the elastic in key areas of the suit  that have to be snug fitting.  I used my  cover stitch machine for the final finish, turning the elasticized edge to the inside and top stitching with the coverstitch . It was the first time I had used coverstitch for this purpose.  I was impressed by how quick and easy it was .

 The suit bottom is copied from a RTW bottom that fits me well.  I have sewn exercise and swim wear for over 30 years.  I have the same problems with swimwear bottoms that I have with slacks.  Typical pattern drafts  assume that someone with my hip measurement has a booty. Nope, my caboose is wide and flat.   The patterns have too much fabric in the center back and not enough width to cover the assets. When I found this RTW bottom at an end of summer sale, I was delighted and have made a pattern from it.

How did we come to be in Puerto Rico?

My niece’s boyfriend S. is from PR and he suggested we visit and he offered to show us around.  We jumped at the opportunity.  We  rented a lovely modern house  in the town of  Luquilla through the website VRBO (vacation rental by owner).


 
   Puerto Rico is a US territory.  I won't go into the difference between state and territory, but what it means is Caribbean island ...no passport required. While the cars and road infrastructure are very American, the language is definitely Spanish, and there is a district culture.  We did all the touristy things, like visiting Old San Juan,  and hiking through El Yunque tropical rain forest.

San Juan


Waterfall - El Yunque Rainforest
 
We took the ferry over to the island of Calebra for a day trip. It has beautiful beaches and snorkeling. It made me angry to read that  the US Army used the island for target practice military exercises until 1975.  As a result there are abandoned tanks scattered about the island which the locals have painted in interesting designs, prettying up the eyesores.


Tank on  Calebra
 In the central part of the island, the cousins zip lined from mountain top to mountain top, 680 ft over the trees . Sis and I watched, taking pictures with the 300x lens of her camera and still only catching small dots moving across the spaces between landing spaces.
Ready for Zip Lining




The guys went deep sea fishing, and caught mahi-mahi, which made a tasty dinner.  Though anyone who has paid for a fishing charter trip, knows that is the most expensive fish they will ever eat.  We also ate at the local barbecue places like Bebo's below,  waiting in long lines for roasted ribs and chicken, rice and (crowder) peas, yucca with onions, and  blood sausage.



 Every morning we visit a local  neighborhood bakery for fresh pastries.   S's family really made us feel welcome. His mother cooked special snacks for us. We ate at his cousin's restaurant, visited his brother at work in Old San Juan, where his boss insisted on giving us free drinks. And yesterday, S’s extended family invited us to their  Christmas Eve party. It was held in a residential neighborhood at the home of his great uncle.



 The meal featured  lechon asados,  roasted suckling pig.



 Some of my family made the trip to the pig farm  the day before to pick out our dinner.  I did not. The party was wonderful, everyone was very friendly despite the language barrier (I speak some French, DS1 is studying Italian, but  no Spanish). There was lots of food, drinks, loud music and lively dancing by people of all ages. It was a lot of fun.

We are already talking about coming back to this lovely island, with its friendly people, and lots to see and do.

23 comments:

  1. Because... you looked amazing in your last one piece so that's why!! You look fantastic.. what a great holiday. Best wishes for the season.

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  2. Feliz Navidad to you, too. I always say Puerto Rico is closer than Hawaii and has everything Hawaii has except volcanoes and Pearl Harbor. Glad you had a wonderful trip.

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  3. You certainly can! I'm of a similar vintage and having shed 15 kgs (about 33 pounds) been been mentally debating one piece versus two piece.

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  4. Fun!! And you look fab in your two piece.

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  5. I say if you can wear two piece suits at any age, you go girl! If I wear two piece it is a tank top and bottom, my 29 inch waist went away some years ago. Sounds like a great place and way to spend the holidays!!

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  6. What a wonderful trip! And I think you're absolutely rocking in the two piece. I hope I look as great as you when I get to where you are in life :) Both the top and the bottom look wonderful, and whilst I'm not usually one for animal print - I think your snakeskin is very tasteful and well balanced. Gorgeous!

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  7. Yes, you can wear a two piece and age is no problem for you in this regard :). Now, I would not wear a two piece - but then I did not wear them at twenty either - because they didn't suit me! I hope you enjoy wearing what suits you for many years to come!

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  8. You look fab. I'm 59 in three days and maybe I'll also be inspired to make one, course I'll then have to go somewhere to wear it.

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  9. You do look fabulous with a two piece swimming suit.
    Enjoy your holidays and Joyeuses fetes

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  10. You look amazing! The swim suit looks amazing! What a wonderful way to spend the holiday season.

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  11. You wear it well!! Fabulous trip and thanks for sharing it with us. Happy, happy holidays!

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  12. Terrific swim suit. And yes, you can and should!

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  13. I love your new swim suit! You did a great job, and you wear it well!

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  14. You look fantastic!! My husband and I celebrated our honeymoon in PR over Christmas five years ago. So I have very fond memories of PR!! Looks like you've enjoyed it too.

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  15. cute suit and you look fabulous! happy new year.

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  16. 50-60 who cares about that. Grl rock that body. Maybe I will try it too.

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  17. You look incredible in that suit so throw it out there! Your post brings back many memories as I lived in Puerto Rico for three years. It is a beautiful place and definitely best enjoyed with one of the locals! Great post!

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  18. You look fabulous!!!I love the 2 piece swim suit on you. You definitely have the body for it.

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  19. Gorgeous swimsuit! It's great having a swimsuit pattern that fits and 2 pieces are way more comfortable. You'll be able to make a new one every year!

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  20. You look amazing in your two-piece! And thank you for sharing your PR photos - looks like a great way to spend the holidays. Happy new year!

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  21. You have a better figure than many women half your age, so rock it! :D

    My BIL is from PR. I've never been there, but it looks lovely.

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  22. Love your new suit! And it's perfect in that snakeskin print. It looks like you had a tremendous amount of fun on your holiday. Happy New Year!

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  23. You actually look closer to 30! Great looking suit. And PR looks like a lovely place to visit.

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