Happy Summer Solstice Friends, Fans, & Family,
As the summer officially begins we start to see the ever so inviting rain clouds in the skies around Las Cruces! Last night we enjoyed a beautiful summer evening listening to a jazz band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation from New Orleans. The City of Las Cruces holds a Music in the Park event every Sunday night throughout the summer. It’s free and very enjoyable. There is a different type of music every Sunday from jazz, to mariachi, to cowboy to dance music, bluegrass, pop Chamber and Oldies. The events are held at varying parks throughout the city-Klein Park, Young Park, and Apodaca Park. Check the City of Las Cruces website for current information.
We are within a week of completing the Jones’ rammed earth home. 
This home has been a joy to work on for many reasons: 1) it is not typical of “our style”, 2) the Jones know what they want and know how to ask for it, 3) the size of the home (1,455 sq. ft. heated, 297 sq. ft. porches, and a 732 sq. ft. garage-the not-so-big-house), and 4) the ease at which our employees and subcontractors know the process.
This home is of a contemporary nature. What makes it contemporary? No bullnose corners to be found in this house! All ninety degree corners-interior and exterior. No upper cabinets in the kitchen, white subway tile the whole length of the wall in the kitchen, birch and white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, glass interior doors, and cantilevered bathroom vanity and shelving. All this surrounded by 18″ thick rammed earth walls. I like being able to show that rammed earth does not mean you have to have a pueblo style home, it means you can have the style of home you like and want, with energy efficient, sustainable walls. Here is a sneak preview of the home. Pictures of the completed home will be forthcoming.
Without Mario here to get another Soledad Canyon Earth Builders out of the ground (his favorite part of building) as I was finishing, we now have a “break” before we begin our next projects. It is a welcome break; it is a new phase of our business. It is part of the evolution of our lives. Max, Melissa and I are thrilled to begin that new phase. We do have some very exciting projects in the works. I cannot reveal much detail about the scope of the projects yet. As I’ve always said it’s not a job until the contract is signed. I can say they are back to our Pueblo style. They range from a spectacular, challenging home in Picacho Mountain area, a very green home in Lake Valley, a dream home north of town (they’ve owned the land for seven years waiting for the day they could move to Las Cruces), a home with that ever so beautiful view of the Organ Mountains in Desert Mirage, and a dream come true home in the Pueblos for a New York-ready-to-be-here-four-years-ago-gal. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with each and every one of these clients. We are committed to making the experience and the home everything they could wish for (within the budget, of course!!!)
I want to give a special recognition to my “buildees” in the field. (They are not just employees, they build our homes hands-on). Antonio, Chuy, Junior and Nemesio have been consistently dependable, reliable, and hard working. They continue to learn to work with a “Soledad Standard”, always looking for ways to improve. I always joke saying “someday we will build the same house twice and we’ll really have it down!” But we know there is something special about knowing each home we build is a one-of-a-kind despite the fact that we learn something on each project. I thank each of them for their continued commitment to Soledad Canyon Earth Builders.
As well, I would like to thank Kathleen in the office for her commitment to keeping the paperwork and numbers flowing and going! Her attention to the details of providing me with the information for running our business, (sometimes on a moment’s notice), is an important part of what makes Soledad Canyon Earth Builders work. Especially at the end of a project when we are trying to close, it is her due diligence that makes it easier and accurate. I thank her for the four+ years she has been with Soledad Canyon Earth Builders.
As a small business I’m always thinking about other small businesses in our town. This month’s Pat’s Pick Spotlight is on Savino’s Italian Restaurant. I have been there twice in the last month. I must say, the food, the service, and the atmosphere were very good-not to mention the wine! One of the nights was an anniversary celebration of our Italy Trip – 3 years ago. It was reminiscent of some of our meals in Italy! There were 5 of us with a setting for Mario. We really enjoyed the place. I would encourage you to give them I try. They are located next to Red Mountain Café on Commerce Dr.
I am about a week behind my schedule in getting out this E-newsletter. Must be I’m in the “laid back” summer mode! Have a great 4th of July, drink a cold one for me, enjoy all that southern New Mexico offers during this fabulous time of the year, be it a full moon night at White Sands, fireworks at Elephant Butte State Park, Music in the Park on Sunday evenings, or just a good read in air conditioned comfort.
Remember to live like you are lucky, think like you are lucky and you will be lucky.
Pat Bellestri-Martinez
President and Lady Contractor
P.S. We have joined the internet social networking world! It’s a gradual thing, fun way to keep in touch– Facebook and Twitter. Come join me!