Greetings to everyone across this great land of ours!
September is upon us — school zones, Aggie Football, green chile roasting in the air, Salsa Fiesta, Wine Festival, Election Time…Fall activities are in full swing.
This summer was full of activities and trips, as well. Our most recent TEG (The Earthbuilders’ Guild) meeting was held in Bernalillo, NM. 
After our productive Board meeting we toured several historic adobe buildings built from 1857-1930. Some of the structures were 2-3 stories high, some in use, some being restored. The buildings are a testament to the beauty and durability of building with earth. They included The Molino, The Graber House, the WPA Building, a two-story barn, The Old Convent, The Zocalo and the Old Adobe Church, Santuario de San Lorenzo, all within a few blocks of each other in Bernalillo (north of Albuquerque). The two-story adobe barn was my favorite. The Youth Conservation Corp of Bernalillo is currently using it as a woodworking shop under the direction of Rich Catanach, adobe builder and preservationist. The earthen floor was impressive.
Soledad Canyon Earth Builders has begun our next rammed earth home in the beautiful wide-open country of The Berrenda Ranch. It is located 90 miles from Las Cruces, 14 miles from Hillsboro, NM in the foothills of the Gila National Forest. As with each of our projects, this one has its own set of challenges. Challenges that turn into beautiful homes! We begin every project with dirt work – building the pad. In this case we are not calling it dirt work, it is rock work! We are so very thankful for being given the opportunity to build this home for Cindy & John.
We have done several jobs of late with Venetian Plaster. A photograph does not do it justice. It makes for a beautiful accent wall, a fireplace, or a whole room. If you are interested in seeing what it can do for you give me a call. The color palette is endless. We have also laid floating cork, engineered wood flooring, laminate and cedar flooring on several projects…. tearing out carpet and replacing it with a “hard surface”. The cork is especially nice feeling, the cedar is especially aromatic! Again, call if you are interested in looking at the options.
Events that we are involved with this Fall include: Picacho Hills Art in the Garden Tour Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, ll:00-4:00 p.m., Renovate & Decorate – a different kind of Home Show at the Las Cruces Convention Center Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 22-23, 2012. Watch for more information. My work continues with the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Armijo House project as well as with the Board of Directors of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association, and the election of my friend, Dolores Lucero Connor for County Clerk. Along with family activities – visiting the quadruplets, a family wedding in Las Vegas, a trip to Michigan, a visit to the Henry Ford Museum to see the Titanic Exhibit, Santa Fe Parade of Homes, Art openings with friend/photographer extraordinaire, David Shaw, (next one Sept. 14th at the Adobe Patio Gallery in Mesilla), we continue to be very grateful for our ability to design, plan and execute homes for our clients. The best clients in the country!
Our thoughts are with all the people in the south as hurricane Isaac bears down on them. May they be safe from harm. Mother Nature is a mystery when it causes such devastation. We ask why?
May your spirit lead you to the peace you deserve,
Pat Bellestri-Martinez