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CNS Cousins Construction CHRONICLES
CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
DECEMBER 2024
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree, a noted journalist once wrote, is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. That captures the Milligan family’s holiday gift-giving traditions pretty well. We enjoy giving each other gifts, but what we all like even more is all the laughter that infuses our holiday traditions. Gift-giving for us is always an opportunity to have some fun with each other — an attitude that has been instilled in us since childhood. When my siblings and I were kids, my parents usually bought each of us several smaller gifts every year, plus one big gift we really wanted badly. Sometimes, they seized upon our excitement to play pranks along the way. I remember opening gifts one Christmas when I was about 8 years old. I had been wanting a new video game system in the worst way, but I thought I had opened all the gifts intended for me. My parents reinforced that hunch by acting as if I had. I didn’t want to be ungrateful — I had received a bunch of other nice gifts. But I was near tears thinking I wasn’t going to get the new Nintendo GameCube I wanted. There was one big present left under the tree, but my parents handed it to Grandpa. I was gazing at the box as he started opening it, wondering what was inside — until I looked at them and saw them all laughing. I finally figured out their ruse. Not only had they “given” my GameCube to Grandpa, they had even packaged and wrapped it in an oversized box to camouflage it! Our tradition of good-natured pranks continues when our whole family gathers for Christmas each year at my parents’ or my uncle’s house in Virginia. We have a white elephant gift Putting Fun First at Christmas HOLIDAY CHEER
exchange, where we each bring one gift costing no more than $25 to contribute to a common pool. Then we draw names and take turns picking gifts — or stealing them from each other. Throughout the exchange, we do a whole lot of running around laughing, and everybody competes to end up with the best gift. Other family gifts are really personal. My maternal grandmother, Grandma Sharon, always gets each of us an ornament. When we decorate the tree together, we can each see all the ornaments Grandma gave us every year since we were 2 years old. I remember my ornaments in particular, because Grandma always gave me a cross. Some of the crosses are intricate and others are simple, made of wood, glass, clay, or ceramic. These little crosses always remind me of how instrumental Grandma Sharon has been in building my faith. She was the one who always told my siblings, cousins, and me Bible stories when we were kids, gave us our own Bibles, and took us to church. A lot of holiday movies and TV shows feature families that don’t like each other and can’t wait to leave when the festivities are over. A lot of families in real life stop getting together at all. In our family, keeping these traditions isn’t a chore — we are excited to see each other every year! I’m grateful to be part of a family that enjoys getting together and has a lot of laughs along the way. We try to bring that same camaraderie and enjoyment to our employees and our client relationships all throughout the year. As the year-end holidays draw near, Calvin and I are wishing you some shared laughter and fun with your loved ones as well!
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—Sam Milligan 1
CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
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Transform a Corner of Your Home Into a Coffee Haven Ditch the Coffee Shop
and mixing spoons; if not, you’ll need to get creative. You can utilize a mug rack and other organizers to house all your coffee necessities. Now, you need to add your coffee maker to the space. Remember, you don’t need the fanciest or most expensive coffee maker. The quality of your beans or blend will have a more significant impact on the flavor of your coffee than the machine. You just want something that will look good and reliably make you a cup when needed. All that’s left is adding your personal touches to the area. You can showcase your personality through the design or just fill the area with things that bring you joy. Adding an aesthetic that makes you smile will help you start each day on the right foot. After making your first cup of Joe at your new coffee bar and taking that first sip, you’ll wonder why you never did this earlier!
you can make some delicious and invigorating coffee at home for a fraction of the price. Create the ultimate coffee bar by investing in the right appliance, redesigning a space in your home, and stocking your favorite creamers and blends. If you’re interested in designing a coffee bar for your home, you must first determine a good location. You don’t need much space for this project; simply using a small corner in your kitchen or foyer will suffice. From there, decide on the furniture to house your coffee needs. To save money, consider repurposing a piece of furniture you own or go thrifting to find something that matches your aesthetic. Once you’ve settled on your furniture, it’s time to design it to house everything you need to make your morning coffee effectively. If it has cabinets or drawers, use them to store mugs, coffee pods,
Many Americans struggle to start their day without fresh coffee. According to a recent study conducted by Drive Research, around 73% of Americans have at least one cup of coffee daily. However, stopping at Starbucks or your local coffee shop every morning gets expensive quickly. Thankfully,
What Railings Should I Choose for My New Deck? ASK YOUR CONTRACTOR
horizontal or vertical cables and glass panels. Glass panels can add a creative touch to a deck railing and offer an unobstructed view. Many types of cable railings available today also offer almost the same wide-open feeling. We don’t recommend horizontal deck cables for families with children under 8 years old, however, because they are likely to use them like a ladder and climb overboard! One feature that is popular with our clients is a drink rail — a flat, 6-inch-wide surface extending around the top of the deck railing, usually made of decking boards, where people can set their drinks, plates, or other items. A drink rail functions almost like an extra table and adds to a deck’s visual appeal.
The wide variety of deck railings available today has raised questions for homeowners who are adding or updating decks. What types of materials and styles are best? We work with each of our customers to make the best choices for their taste and their budget. In ranking railing materials based on quality, aluminum is at the top of the list, followed by composite, then vinyl, and finally, wood. Aluminum railings are low-maintenance, durable, strong, and resistant to corrosion and weather. While an aluminum railing may cost a little more up front, it is more cost-effective in the long run because it lasts longest. All of these materials except wood are durable and resistant to discoloration.
develop creative, original railing plans. We have an architectural designer available to help our clients weigh their options and achieve the overall look they want!
We can build specialty decks in a variety of colors, and we also can help
Homeowners also have some exciting choices in railing design, including
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A Guide to the Perfect Reading Paradise
Sticky Fig and Pecan
Keys to a Cozy Book Nook
Pudding With Toffee Sauce
Is your home where the hectic is? Crave a place in your house where you or your loved one can find peace with a great paperback and a comfy couch? Well, it may be time to build a book nook! Book nooks can range from cozy, modest spots to mini in-house libraries complete with shelving and large furniture. Whichever direction you take to create your special place for reading and relaxation, a few tried-and-true tips will help transform your
Inspired by Delicious.com
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped • 1/2 cup hot water Toffee sauce • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2/3 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp baking powder • 3/4 cup self-rising flour • 3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped
corner into a tranquil sanctuary. Perk up your page-turning.
Although the sight of someone going cover to cover in a dingy dungeon may work in a horror film, it’s the wrong way to keep your eyes open and your senses alert. A book nook should be a place for rejuvenation, so keep your space illuminated and lively. Natural light will always work best, but a strategically placed lamp will also do the trick. The goal is to give your eyes a break — not another way to strain them. Shape where you sit. Remember those tiny — and hard — wooden seats we endured most of the day when we were kids at school? Well, there’s a good chance your kids still spend plenty of time on them in school! To build the perfect book nook for younger readers, furnish it with softness: a cozy chair with an ottoman or couch with lots of pillows and a blanket nearby. Naturally, adults shouldn’t skimp on comfort, either — your body deserves a break after all those hours spent in the car, behind a desk, or on your feet. Let your creativity flag fly! In addition to providing children with a place to read for pleasure, book nooks can open the door to their creative sides. Encourage them to be little art directors and personalize their spaces with their favorite colors and images. Who knows? Maybe the walls could be the perfect gallery for their drawings! Helping to make your child’s nook a pleasant destination will help them find joy in reading. Of course, the same philosophy should also apply to adults who need a good nook. Like the act of reading itself, creating a literary safe space presents endless possibilities for fun and fulfillment.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
OUR SERVICES:
• Roofing • Siding • Gutters, Soffit, and Fascia • Decks • Roof Construction • James Hardie Siding • Windows and Doors
• Design and Build • Architectural Drawings • Concrete • Stamped Patios • Outdoor Kitchens • Outdoor Living Spaces
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
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INSIDE 1 2
The Best Gift Around Any Tree: Shared Fun!
Create a Coffee Bar to Make Your Mornings Shine Ask Your Contractor: How to Choose Deck Railings
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Literary Lounges for Family Relaxation Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
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Make a Tiny Room Feel Surprisingly Spacious
Create the Illusion of Space
Design Hacks to Make Any Room Feel Larger
Does your living space ever feel tight or cramped? Do you wish your home felt bigger, but your floor plan limits your space? Don’t stress! Here are some simple design hacks you can implement to make any space feel larger. Low Furniture Clear sightlines are essential if you want your space to feel bigger. To preserve sightlines, purchase coffee tables, couches, and other pieces of furniture that are low to the ground. Soft Lighting While your chandelier or ceiling fan might make the room brighter, it also creates shadows that can make it feel smaller. Lamps and other forms of soft lighting can draw attention to certain aspects of the room, making it feel bigger.
Keep It Clean Don’t let unnecessary items clutter your countertops and tables. Put everything away in drawers and cabinets to keep your space clean and clear.
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