KAT Construction LLC - May 2018

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MAY 2018 www.katconstructionllc.com (612) 326-1122

The Best Mom in the World

Celebrating This Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, this month is the perfect time to recognize all that my mom has done for me over the years. As with most people and their mothers, it’d be impossible for me to list all the ways she has influenced me over the years. Needless to say, her effect has been immeasurable. My mom has always been an easygoing woman, but when it came to her children, she was never afraid to lay down the law. For example, we had a set time at which we ate supper every single evening. If we weren’t home when the plates hit the dinner table, we wouldn’t get dinner at all that night. Because of how much time I spent hanging with my buddies, playing football, and messing around, I probably missed supper about twice a week. I’d go home, pass the dinner table, and head straight up to my room.

Back then, I might not have fully appreciated the degree to which my mom put her family first, but today, it’s easy to see how vital that was to me. Sure, I may have missed meals every now and then. But more often than not, I was home for dinner, chatting with my family about everything that went on in our lives and chowing down on

because she and my dad are busy spending their retirement traveling all over the world. I join them whenever I can, but those trips are few and far between. Honestly, I’m pretty impressed with their active routine. They’re up to almost a trip a month. My mom says, “Well, we have to do it while we’re still young enough to travel!”

whatever delicious food my mom cooked for us. It was her way of setting expectations and building bonds between us, teaching us important lessons without ever making it obvious. And despite what some people might call her “strict” nature, we never felt restricted. We were free to go out and do our own thing whenever we needed.

Best of all, she always stayed even-keeled. And though my mom knew we screwed up sometimes, she was incredibly accommodating of our mistakes. Whenever I had a serious issue I was mulling over, I knew I could talk to her about it. I’d have to be ready for her total honesty on the matter, because my mom has never been one to beat around the bush, even if what she said might hurt my feelings. To this day, I give her a call every so often to ask her advice about a particularly difficult problem I’m struggling with. She gives great advice, even if I’m sometimes too stubborn to actually take it — a trait I inherited directly from her.

I see a lot of myself in my mom. Though I may be stubborn like her, I like to think I’m even-keeled like her as well. Hopefully, I’ve inherited at least a little of her knack for talking to people — a quality that makes her so easy to like the first time you meet her. All in all, she’s an incredible person and one of the most important people in my life. This Mother’s Day, I’ll be sure to give her a call. Hopefully, I’ll find the words to express just how important she’s been to me since she brought me into this world. –Keith Thompson

Today, I only see her a couple times a year, partly because she lives in North Carolina, and partly

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Road Trips Don’t Have to Be Painful TRY GAMES, AUDIOBOOKS, AND PODCASTS TO PASS THE TIME

Summer is right around the corner, which means you’ll soon pile the whole family into the car, ready to brave the road for a vacation. Everyone knows that riding in the car for hours can be torture. But with a little creativity, you can turn the worst part of a long trip into a fun event. Pack a Travel Game When the excitement of the family vacation starts to wear off, keep the peace and entertain your kids with a travel game. Many board game manufacturers offer travel-sized versions that are easy to pack and play in the car. Before your next road trip, consider purchasing digital Yahtzee, which packs all the fun of the classic game without the dice, or IQ Fit, a logic game with over 100 challenges. Both games cost around $10 and can provide hours of entertainment. Include the Whole Family Once the travel games no longer pique anyone’s interest, try an activity that can be fun for the whole family: a traditional road trip game. If you have a car full of storytellers, try “Fortunately, Unfortunately.” The rules

are simple. The first person starts by saying, “fortunately,” and mentioning something good about the road trip or the destination. The next person (moving clockwise) then follows by saying something “unfortunate” about the previous person’s statement. Take turns with every passenger in the car. If someone stumbles, they get a strike; three strikes and you’re out. The last passenger standing wins. Play an Audiobook or Podcast We get it. Sometimes passengers don’t want to play games. Occasionally, they’d rather relax or take a nap. However, your listening material doesn’t have to be limited to Dad’s favorite music. Instead, consider listening to a family-friendly audiobook or podcast, which can make the longest and most boring parts of your trip an entertaining or educational experience. Almost any popular book is available in audio form, but it can be hard to find an enjoyable podcast. “Transistor” is a science-focused podcast that explores subjects kids and adults will find fascinating. Or if you’re looking for something fictional, try “Storynory,” in which the narrator tells fairy tales and legends from all over the globe.

Why There’s Ice in Your Attic As the weather starts to heat up incrementally and the ice begins its steady thaw, some of us might start to notice something peculiar in our attics: frost. Many people look in their attics and are baffled to see a thin layer of ice covering happens during the slightly warmer months when nighttime temperatures are still dropping precipitously. Usually, the frost will show up on the north side of the sheathing, which tends to get less sunlight.

Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Because of Your Roof!

of your home. Use bathroom and kitchen fans when showering or boiling water, run dehumidifiers in the dampest of spaces, and avoid hanging wet laundry indoors. Also, properly ventilate your attic. Ensure that your insulation isn’t blocking ventilation on the edges of the attic. If you can, check the vent at the top of the roof. If these solutions don’t do the trick, it’s time to involve a professional. Call the experts at KAT Construction at (612) 326-1122 , and let us get to the bottom of the issue in record time.

the inside of their roof. Often, this happens when the sky is blue and there have been no recent storms or snowfall. So what’s going on? Fortunately, there’s probably nothing wrong with your roof. As the warm, humid air from inside your house makes its way to the upper chambers, it may collect as little droplets of dew-like water or icy frost on the underside of the roof, blanketing the ceiling. This usually

Luckily, this buildup is usually nothing more than a small nuisance, assuming it can dry and evaporate as the day warms. But if more water shows up before it’s able to evaporate, the moisture can begin to accumulate, eventually resulting in a persistent leak.

To curb the issue and make your attic water- free again, start by lowering the humidity

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3 Common Types of Windows

for Your Home

A house without proper windows isn’t a home. No matter much artificial light your lamps provide, they’ll never match the warm glow of natural light. Windows are certainly a vital part of any living space, but they can also be vulnerable to storms, vandalism, and burglars seeking easy entry.

instance, they’re much more weatherproof than double-hung windows, allowing you to keep them open even while it’s raining. Additionally, without the frame pieces obstructing your view, awning windows allow you to enjoy the scenery outside. Casement windows open outward via a crank mechanism, allowing a lot of air and light into a space. They’re the perfect design for keeping cool during a blazing summer or increasing ventilation throughout your house. What’s more, since the hinge is the only moving part and the window is a single pane of glass, casement windows provide more insulation than most other options while still allowing you to let some air in.

Damaged or broken windows are more than an annoyance; they can let in heat, bugs, and even intruders. With all the different types of windows available, you’re sure to find one that fits your space and needs. Here are the most common types of windows and their uses. Double-hung windows and single-hung windows are the most common window types you see in modern homes. They’re designed Laughing Corner

to open halfway, from the bottom up or the top down. Since they don’t take up much interior or exterior space, they’re often a no- brainer for tight spaces or for anyone looking for a basic window option. Awning windows operate by swinging out on a hinge to open. While they’re not all that common in new homes today, they can be an ideal choice in certain situations. For

Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus

Ingredients

Inspired by Food Network

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1 1/2 pounds skirt steak 2 tablespoons canola oil

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2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound asparagus

Grated pecorino Romano cheese

Instructions 1. Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. 2. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak. 3

8833 79th Street Annandale, MN 55302

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INSIDE This Issue 1 •

Keith Thompson Celebrates His Mom How to Make Your Road Trip a Breeze Why Your Attic Has Water or Ice Buildup 3 Window Options for You Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus Gear Up for Grilling Season

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GET YOUR GRILL ON 2 May Holidays, 2 Reasons to Grill

THE MEDITERRANEAN BURGER

Is there anything more American than grilling a burger outside on Memorial Day? This year, there’s another reason to fire up the grill that weekend: In addition to being Memorial Day, May 28 is also National Hamburger Day! Enjoy this delicious coincidence by heating up the grill and making one of these tasty burgers at home. Nothing beats the American classic: a seasoned beef patty, a slice of cheddar cheese, a squirt each of mustard and ketchup, a layer of crunchy lettuce, some thinly sliced onions, and a couple of zesty pickles. For a homemade touch, make the pickles yourself by soaking cucumbers in a brine of vinegar, dill, and salt. THE CLASSIC BURGER

Take your patty to the next level with a Mediterranean twist. Mix feta cheese and garlic into your ground beef before forming your patties. Serve it on a grilled ciabatta bun topped with marinated red peppers and arugula for flavor and texture. If you want to get extra fancy, pour a bit of balsamic reduction over the patty before adding the toppings.

shrooms with salt and pepper, then place them on the grill just as you would any other burger. Gruyere cheese is the perfect creamy topping, and you can use grilled focaccia bread topped with garlic aioli. As you bask in the late spring weather and the inviting smell of delicious food this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the Americans who gave their lives so we could enjoy these freedoms, and thank those who served.

THE PORTOBELLO BURGER

For a delicious veggie burger even meat eaters will love, use a portobello mushroom as your patty. Remove the stems, then marinate the mushrooms for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a clove of minced garlic. Season the

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