Hi Followers of Soledad Canyon Earth Builders!
Don’t you just love New Mexico in October! Warm days, cool, crisp nights, a sky full of stars and beautiful sunsets.
It is a great time to be ramming walls. The guys do not have to put up with the hot days of summer while they are working so hard. As of today we are about ¾ of the way done with the Amigos de Rincon home.
I’m still amazed every time we build those 18″ walls–I think to myself “this home is going to be here for many, many, many years.” It is so solid! I’m very thankful to those people who decide to take that extra step in building a rammed earth home. Don’t get me wrong, I’m also very grateful to those who don’t, but still want a quality frame home built by Soledad Canyon Earth Builders! We do our best to create a long lasting home for them also!
We have broken ground on the house on Quail Brush! The dirt work is complete, the plumber has completed his rough-in, and the concrete guys will be digging their footings over the next few days. There is nothing like taking a bare piece of land and creating a home on it. From conception to reality, from a dream to real life, from nothing to something.
As October continues along we fill our weekends with many “fiestas” and fun events and several business related activities. Over the last month there has been so much fun in our midst! There was dinner with Los Lobos before their performance at the Whole Enchilada Fiesta. Yes, I had dinner with the legendary band….. It was very enjoyable meeting all the band members, sharing some good New Mexican food with some vegan dishes thrown it there too…..prepared by yours truly. Then there was a meeting in Albuquerque with CID (Construction Industries Division) and earth builders to discuss code issues relating to the construction of earth homes. Very productive meeting. Last weekend Max, Melissa, Felice & I visited Albuquerque’s Parade of Homes. Saw 7 homes on Saturday. It is always a worthwhile trip to see what is out there in Albuquerque’s market. Throw in Disney on Ice with favorite granddaughter, Empty Bowls, and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association (now Building Industry Association of Southern New Mexico). A well rounded month of events for all of us at Soledad Canyon Earth Builders.
The next few weeks will continue to be filled in the same manner. We have begun making selections for another house, come to another stage of the floor plan on the Picacho Mountain house, and bringing in costs for a third future project. All rammed earth homes! Again, want to remind you-if you’ve never seen the rammed earth walls going up let us know. We’ll show you that process as it takes place over the next 3-4 weeks.
On a community note, there is the NMSU Aggie Homecoming this weekend…parade, football and some tailgating. We’ll welcome family Aggie Alumni for the festivities-my niece & her husband from Phoenix. The weekend of the 31st will be a local cultural event in Mesilla. The Dia del Muerto Celebration on the Plaza. And before we know it will be the Annual Dona Ana Arts Council’s Renaissance Craftsfaire on November 7-8.
On November 19th I will make my first and last appearance on the Runway! On behalf of the March of Dimes I will be modeling at the Hotel Encanto. 
The event is High Heels for High Hopes. I continue to seek donations for this effort! They can be made on the website: jailandbail.marchofdimes.com/Bellestri. You can also buy tickets for the event at www.highheelsforhighhopes.com. I would sincerely appreciate your support. I am also selling raffle tickets for three Designer-esque handbags. Just give me a call or email and I’d be glad to come to you for any of the above-donation, tickets, or raffle chances.
I’d like to give a big thank you to the nine Las Cruces fellow Builders who participated in The Hard Hats for High Heels Breakfast. We laughed for three hours. The guys were such good sports and they put on a great show. Hope you caught the front page of the Sun News on Oct 3rd…a fabulous picture of the Builders donning their heels. If you are interested in that photograph let me know.
To close out this month I leave you with this thought. In decorating your home remember to use your instinct…place things in your environment that mean something to you, that you want around you, that make you feel good. Eclectic is good decorating.
Remember to cherish what you have (and it does not have to be just the big things). Be it your friendly neighbor, your dog or cat, your pantry full of food, your fingernail, your car, your books, and of course, your home. What we have in our lives is much to be grateful for. Give thanks every day. Create a thankful persona and people will be thankful to you.
I am thankful to all you readers-I appreciate your feedback.
Salud,
Pat Bellestri-Martinez
Links:
High Heels for High Hopes
http://jailandbail.marchofdimes.com/personal
Renaissance Artsfair
www.las-cruces-arts.org