Estill County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences
December 2023 Edition
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Estill County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences
December 2023/January 2024
Happy Holidays,
It is hard to believe that the end of the year is up on us. It has been a busy and exciting year. Our homemaker numbers are rising and we have added a new special interest club. If you like to learn about plants and how to care for them, come to this club on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.. We have our Homemaker Extravaganza on December 12th with registration starting at 5:00 p.m.. The flyer for that is located in the newsletter.
December 5th at 10:00 a.m. is Gifts from the Kitchen. We will make jar layered recipes and other things to give from the kitchen. This is open for everyone. More information is in the newsletter. Call to sign up so I can plan supplies.
I will be having a Heart Healthy Lunch and Learn on February 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will wear red and learn about having a healthy heart. Call to signup.
All programs are cancelled if school is canceled for weather. If we have slick road conditions and can not make it in to work, the office may be closed. We will post on our Facebook pages.
If you have any questions or program ideas, you may contact me at my e-mail: judy.vaughn@uky.edu or by calling the Estill County Extension office at 606-723-4557.
Be safe and have a wonderful holiday and a great new year.
Judy Vaughn
County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences
Homemakers News
Hello Estill Homemakers,
Not Your Momma’s group met on Thursday, November 2nd. We opened with our general business meeting and finished with our monthly service project. For November’s service project, Not Your Momma’s members bought non-perishable items and filled bags for the seventeen residents of Irvine School Apartments. We finalized plans for the Homemaker Christmas Party and discussed future events. Our next meeting will be January 4th.
The special interest group for plants held their first meeting on November 14th. Cheyenne Lamb had a presentation on floral arrangements and taught those present how to assemble a bud vase. The flowers were very pretty and made nice arrangements. This special interest group is open to all Homemakers and their next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Extension Office.
Tuesday, December 12th at 5:00 p.m. will be the annual Homemaker Christmas party. We will be having Chili and potluck appetizers and desserts. There will be a craft, sock exchange, and a Saran Wrap ball. Sign up for all the fun at the Extension Office by December 8th. The cost is $10 for the event.
If you would like to know more about Volunteer Service (VSU) hours, the book list, passports or any of our other fun activities, please contact the Estill County Extension Office at (606) 723-4557. Also, let us know if you have any trip ideas or service project ideas.
We hope to see you at the next meetings!
Rebecca Lamb
Estill County Homemakers
Gifts from the Kitchen
Tuesday, December 5th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
This class will be held at the Estill County Extension Office, 76 Golden Court, Irvine. During this class participants will be making layered jar recipes, simple candy recipes, and different mixes that can be given as gifts. The cost of this class is $2.00. Please call the office at 606-723-4557 to sign up so we can know the quantity of supplies that will be needed.
Self-Care: Fuel Your Energy
(aka: Pamper Yourself!)
Self-pampering is a valuable practice for enhancing wellness. Thinking spa days, comfortable sheets, scented candles, massages, and cups of herbal tea! These in-the-moment soothing practices can be used to cope when stress and crises are making you feel overwhelmed. Such rituals are beneficial because they provide a temporary distraction to help create a momentary level of calm. FCS Extension will help you identify ways to pamper yourself for overall health and well-being.
Come to the Estill County Extension office to learn more!
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When: January 23, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
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Where: Estill County Extension Office
For more information contact Judy Vaughn at 606-723-4557.
It's not too late to develop a holiday budget
Source: Nicole Huff, assistant professor, School of Human Environmental Sciences
The holidays are quickly approaching. While holidays give people time to spend with loved ones, all the extra purchases for gifts, food and decorations can quickly escalate. If you have not been saving all year, you might be starting to feel the financial pinch that can come with the season.
Developing a budget can help start your financial preparation for the holidays. Budgets give you a great idea of the amount of money you will need to get through the holidays and will help avoid impulse buying. It is important to include all holiday purchases when developing a budget. Think of any events, travel, charitable donations and gifts that you have planned for the season. Remember to list food and other entertainment costs if you plan on hosting holiday celebrations. Be sure to list each person you plan to give a gift and the amount you plan to spend—no matter how small.
Once you have established a budget, review it. If you are not comfortable with the amount of money the season’s festivities are going to cost, a budget can help you find areas where you can make cuts. For example, you can make decorations instead of buying them or use your own utensils, plates and glasses instead of purchasing paper or plastic. You may also have some people on your gift list that might enjoy a nonmonetary gift, (like assistance completing a project or just your time). If you still need to tighten your belt further, prioritize your purchases. Your family may rather have a big meal together than lots of presents.
Remember your budget as you head to the stores. Consider keeping a copy of the budget to keep you on track and to avoid impulse purchases. Try to use cash or your debit card whenever possible to avoid paying interest on credit card purchases well after the season has ended.
More information on developing a holiday budget is available at the Estill County Extension office.
Please see the attached PDF for the rest of the FCS newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns about this newsletter, or the FCS program, please contact Judy Vaughn, County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences at judy.vaughn@uky.edu or at 606-723-4557.
