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Cooperative Extension Service Bourbon County 603 Millersburg Rd Paris, KY 40361 (859) 987-1895 Fax: (859) 987-3120 bourbon.ca.uky.edu

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES

Newsletter BOURBON COUNTY EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS

November 2018

Agent for Family Consumer Science Karen.denniston@uky.edu

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Leader Training Schedule for 2018-19

TIME DATE TAUGHT TO CLUB Pasta 10:00 am November 19th January

Drying 10:00 am January 14th February Nourish Your Muscles 10:00 am February 19th March Hiring a Dependable

Contractor 10:00 am March 18th April

Cooking for 1 or 2 6:00 pm April 29th May

November 19th 10:00 am – Bourbon County Extension Office

MARK THE CALENDAR!

November 6………………………...………………Election Day

November 8……………………..….Veterans Appreciation

November 9 & 10………….Bluegrass Area Craft Camp

November 15…………………………………...Holiday Foods

November 22 & 23………………….…………Office Closed

December 3 …………………………….…..…Extension Staff Appreciation Outing January 8…………….Sewing – Mending & Repair Class

Coming To A Kitchen Near You! Pasta: A History and How To

November Etiquette Tips

Ever wondered how to get that perfect al dente pasta? Ever wondered what al dente even means? Join us for a basic pasta class on November 19th at 10:00 am at the Bourbon Extension Office. This class will

explore the history of pasta, teach the basics of making fresh pasta, and provide recipes for both fresh and dried pasta. Participants will enjoy a live demonstration and get to taste test some of the provided recipes.

Hope to see you there!

What is a Hostess Gift? A gift for your host or hostess is a lovely way to thank them for their hospitality and is always appreciated. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive; simply consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice.

Gift possibilities include flowers, potted plant, chocolates, specialty food items such as jams and jellies or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil or vinegars, or items for the house such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps and lotions, picture frame or scented candle. A book is also appropriate, especially if you know the host’s preferences.

Be on the look-out for sales and inexpensive items for hostess gifts throughout the year!

Give Thanks for your blessings and share those blessings with

others during the holiday season.

Everyone is welcome to attend Leader Training. It is open to anyone. Please note lessons of special interest and mark them on your calendar!

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2018 HOLIDAY FOODS

“Better Together”

Date: November 15th

Location: First Christian Church 911 High St.

Format: Food Demonstrations will take place for a “Holiday Meal”. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste-test the foods as they are

being demonstrated, rather than having the end of program buffet of previous years.

Club Help Needed:

• 1 from each club for set-up day of event • 1 from each club for clean up after

event • Volunteers to show Do It Yourself

projects from each club. The DIY projects will be like previous years. They will be commercials/time fillers while changing sets for food demonstrators. A completed project is requested to be used for door prize.

Save the date!

It will be a fun evening!

Come join the Bourbon County Extension

Homemakers As they assist with honoring the

veterans at the Paris Rotary Club 1st Annual

VETERAN’S Appreciation Dinner

Bourbon County Extension Homemakers are volunteering to assist veterans with greeting and

seating of veterans.

All veterans receive a free meal from the Paris Rotary Club and all other meals are $5.00

Come say thanks to a vet!

SEWING MENDING AND REPAIR

Taught by, Sherry Schneider

Bourbon County Master Clothing Volunteer

January 8th 5:30 pm

Bourbon County Extension Office

Call the Extension Office 987-1895 to sign up.

Remember to vote

November 6,

It is your right!

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Strengthening Family Relationships during the Holiday Season

There is no better time to strengthen the most important relationships in your life than the holiday season! Holidays can be very busy and stressful, but they can also be opportunities to celebrate life with the people you love. Here are some ideas for strengthening family relationships during the holidays.

1. Shift your focus from what has to be done to what you want to experience with the people you care about. So many things around the holiday season have to be done. It can make the holidays feel like one big giant obligation. Shift your attitude from obligation to your hopes for your family during the holidays. It may surprise you how much a shift in focus can do!

2. Make your goal clear. Let your family know that your No. 1 goal is to strengthen your family during the holiday season. Use language that makes it something everyone will want to do rather than something people feel forced to do. Communicate your goals for how you plan to strengthen relationships with each member of your family. When you communicate that you care about people and tell them they are your No. 1 priority, it can be amazing how they will respond!

3. Practice self-care. We are happiest and most likely to have positive exchanges with our families when we are taking proper care of ourselves. Get enough rest and eat regular meals. Do something you enjoy or have wanted to do and take a little “me time.” You will surprise yourself when you realize how much more positive your family interactions can be after you have taken some time to care for yourself!

4. Put down the technology and focus on each other! We all spend too much time on computers, iPads, smart phones and other technologies. The best way to strengthen family relationships is to do something together and focus on each other. Play a fun family board game. Volunteer at a food pantry or nursing home as a family. Bake your favorite dessert together. Tell jokes together. It does not matter what you are doing, just do it together!

5. Spend time reflecting together as a family. What are your favorite memories from past holidays? What traditions are important to your family? How can we work together as a family to keep a focus on the positive? How can we work as a family to reduce stress? Sharing these reflections can help to reduce future conflict and feel better understood.

References: Brain Pathways (2013). Strengthening Relationships during the Holidays. Brain Pathways Blog. Available at https://blog.brainpathways.net/2013/10/22/strengthening-relationships-during-the-holidays-2/.

Source: Kerri Ashurst, Senior Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

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Two of my favorites are……………...

Homemakers

And YOU!

Wishing you a year of Adventure as you discover

Everything Bourbon County Extension Homemakers has to

offer.

Call the Bourbon County Extension Office now, at 859-987-1895

to ac�vate!

TO: _______________________ FROM:_____________________

To ALL members – club and mailbox!

Hard to believe but it is time to present ideas for 2019-20 lessons!

In order to meet your needs (and your curiosities) your suggestions are

needed. Lessons are much more fun if they are about things in which YOU are

interested.

Suggestions do not have to be on this form do they have to be restricted to these areas. Share your ideas now by

paper copy, texts or email.

Please return lesson ideas to the Bourbon County Extension Office by

November 30!

For the person that you just do not know what to buy! For $8.00 you can give them the gift of Bourbon County Extension Homemakers.

Pay their membership and we will give you a card to give them and

they will receive the gift of being a Bourbon County Extension

Homemaker.

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Stretching Your Dollar

At the end of the year, do you wonder what happened to your money? Are you regularly tempted to spend when you have a few extra dollars in your pocket? Spending and savings habits are directly linked to financial stability. Understanding how and where you spend money is important for financial success, especially in tough economic times. You can take several steps to maximize your money each month.

• First, get organized. Keep all of your bills and important financial papers in one place. Track your spending for one month by writing down your expenses, including big expenses such as rent and car payments as well as the little everyday expenses, such as vending machine purchases. Remember that small expenses add up over time, so it is important to include them in your spending log. Next, identify the total amount of money you earn for the month. This includes take-home pay, any investment income or additional income from a second job.

• Develop a plan on paper for how you will spend your money each month. Remember that for big expenses, such as car insurance, vacations or holidays, you may want to set aside a little each month so you are prepared when these events occur.

• After two to three months, evaluate the spending plan. Are you overspending in any certain category? If so, readjust it to more accurately reflect your spending habits or identify alternatives to help reduce expenses. Keep working at your spending plan until you find a combination that works for the needs of your family.

• To save more, consider changing your shopping habits. It is important to realize that stores arrange goods and merchandise to tempt you to make a purchase. Stores use sales signs, displays and salespeople to draw your attention to specific items. Next time you are at the store, try to identify the stimulus that encourages you to buy, and then try to avoid these areas in the future. Other tips for breaking bad spending habits include: limiting the number of trips you make to the store. The less often you shop, the less likely you will be tempted to make unnecessary purchases. Make certain you have a plan prior to entering the store. Know why you are there and stick to your shopping list. If you see an item that you would really like to purchase, identify alternatives first.

Source: Alex Elswick, Extension Associate for Family Resource Management; University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

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E We are entering a very busy time of year! Two major holidays with a lot of preparation, shopping, cleaning and rushing around to get it ALL completed. The best part of this season is family and friends coming together to share, remember and appreciate each other. In order to enjoy both the time leading up to these holidays and the actual holidays, remember to take time out for yourself. Enjoy the meals but remember your health, get fresh air along with that exercise of running around and make time for rest! Set your goals and priorities before the hustle and bustle starts and remind yourself often of the fact that spending time with others – family and friends – is more important than preparing the best meal or purchasing the best gift. You will have the opportunity to “create memories” and that is the best gift or meal that you can give anyone! EXPLORE and/or relive your relationships with family and friends. Memories are the gift that will outlive giver.

It is peanut butter time! The Paris/Bourbon County community generously supports the backpack program donating and packing over 400 backpacks weekly. These donations of food, money and time assure that all school age children have access to nutritious food at home as well as school. Over long holidays, jars of peanut butter are sent home with students to cover the extended holiday time. We are currently accepting donations of 12 oz. jars of peanut butter for the Christmas holiday. Please drop off your donations at the Bourbon County Extension Office your convenience. To insure safety for all no glass jars are sent home with students.Thank you for your thoughtful donations to this program.

Kacy Wiley SNAP Ed

November brings many thoughts to mind, but none more important than the feeling of gratitude! Early in the month, we pause to honor and give thanks for all veterans who have served so bravely to keep our nation free! Why not send a card to a veteran you know? It will be greatly appreciated. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, so now is the time to be preparing for a special time with family and friends. Remember to count your blessings one by one and rejoice in a blessed day! Thought for the month: There is no such thing as a small act of kindness! Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. And it is contagious. Be a carrier! Have a wonderful November

Bette Edwards, – bette.edwards@hinkleholding.com

(859.707.9260)

AGENT’S CORNER

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN

Kay Denniston FCS Agent

Snap-Ed/Backpack Corner

Decide now what your priorities will be and how you will end 2018. Write it down and post it where you will be reminded daily. Consider adding a shut-in or a neighbor with no family nearby with which to create memories as well. Happy Exploring!