Welcome Summer…
For us the beauty of summer has been here for more than a month-officially it was here Wednesday afternoon at 5:09 p.m. I have already had many activities that ooze with summer-a day at the water park (how can you be cold on such a hot day!), salmon on the grill, a visit to Santa Fe, watching the sunset at 8:30 p.m., sisters weekend, cold lemonade, and of course the feeling of stepping from a hot day into the coolness of my home with its 24″ thick rammed earth walls.
Since I last wrote an e-newsletter we have completed the Showcase Home in Picacho Mountain. 
The owners have moved in and are making their way through unpacking and discovering their new home’s features. It takes a lot of reading and learning—new appliances, new HVAC equipment, new switches, new electronic connections, new everything! To help them with the transition we presented them with a new iPad at closing. They were able to “connect” quickly without having to set up their computers right away! On the iPad is the history of the construction of their home. With over 1000 pictures they can easily reference the process of building their home. As well, all the documents relating to the home are on the iPad—warranty information, subcontractor contacts, all invoices from all subs & suppliers—all accessible at the touch of the screen. We were very excited to present them this house-warming/thank you gift. We think it has turned them into iPad lovers!
Between the completion of this home and the start of our next one we are able to get back to some of our past clients’ homes for maintenance and refreshing updates. The Fusco Home built some 15 years ago is getting a whole new interior paint job. Paint is magic. We used a beautiful golden color in the office and the laundry room (they were an off white). What a great change. The rest of the home has gone from that off white color (probably Ranier White, if I remember right) to our favorite Crisp Khaki and Lulled Beige. Feels like a new home!
As well, we are managing a stucco & wood restoration and reconstruction on exterior steps up to the pool on a home that will be put up for sale in anticipation of us building their new home. They wanted to enjoy the home with it repairs & maintenance completed while they are still living there. Again, it is a refreshing update.
Our next start has begun. The contract is signed. The closing with the bank is scheduled. The permitting process has begun. This rammed earth home will be built on the Berrenda Ranch-90 miles from Las Cruces. We have been working on this project for several years-it is great to be at this stage. We look forward to creating this 3,008 sq.ft. home (+503 sq. ft. porches and 1,049 sq. garage) on a beautiful spot near Lake Valley.
Hope you enjoy the summer in your favorite way. I always welcome email correspondence. If you have any questions related to home building, rammed earth, home maintenance, PV solar panels, or sustainable building I’d like to hear from you.
Pat Bellestri-Martinez
Lady Contractor
“It is as you perceive it to be. You have the power to change your perception.”