Hello Friends & Fans,
Anyone else feel like “it can’t possibly be February”? Do the children in your life think that time flies by? Most adults that I know don’t understand how time is going by so fast. The beginning of a new year gives one a chance to look back over the past year and reflect. What happened over the last year? Did I do what I wanted to do? Were there things that happened that created hardship, yet I feel stronger by having had the experience? How will it affect what I will do in the new year? Here’s wishing you wisdom from your 2010 experiences, a new perspective that will make you a better person, here’s wishing you the ability to be grateful for the small things in your life, and the desire to make a moment in someone else’s life better.
So, an update on Soledad Canyon EarthBuilders…..we can actually see how and 
where the house will sit on the lot in Picacho Mountain! Dirt has been moved. Footings have been dug. Forms and rebar have been set. Inspections have been made and concrete has been flowing! This is first stage of construction of the lower level. There is a lot more dirt to move. That process will begin in a few days. It is a thrill to be constructing! Thanks to everyone involved that has allowed us to move forward on this project… we look forward to building throughout the new year on this project. Perhaps we will do an open house during construction!
In addition to the Picacho Mountain home we have a project that speaks to our hearts. We have begun a 750 square foot addition to a home that was built in the early 80’s. The home is an owner built earth home. It’s not rammed earth, it’s not adobe. It was constructed of poured earth. The owner has provided us with all the original photographs of the construction of the home done by her parents. The addition had to be earth and we are thrilled that they choose rammed earth.
I have recently been involved with the reincarnation of an organization called The Earthbuilders Guild. It is really fulfilling to be able to connect with other people in the industry who have a commitment to building with earth. Not only rammed earth, but also adobe and compressed block. by organizing we intend to make our presence know to those in our Government who create our Building Codes and those who work in the areas of rating energy efficiency of homes. It will also be an avenue for promoting earthen construction in general. At the point there is information to share (like a website) I will do so.
I started this e-newsletter a few days ago—before winter hit! Oh my, I don’t remember the last time that we had to halt construction because of the weather for more than a day! It is cold, but by the weekend we are back to sunny and into the 50’s! Our winters are short–really short. We get just enough to make us appreciate our desert winters.
I know my e-newsletters are not a regular as they once were, but I hope you will continue to find them informative and useful. Input and comments are welcome.
Best to you all,
Pat Bellestri-Martinez