Ah, spring is in the air. Flowers blooming, robins calling, mud abating (finally) – and the annual Western New York Home Show.
Daughter #3 is buying her first home. While it’s in very good condition, there are things she will need, such as appliances – and there are things she doesn’t need, but wishes for. Thus, our recent visit to the Home Show.
This year, the show was held at the Erie County Fairgrounds, about half an hour from home. Knowing the Fairgrounds is closed this time of year, I did a little online research to learn which gate would be open. Of course, by the time we got there, I had forgotten that bit of information, although I did remember instructions to enter from McKinley Parkway.
The only entrance open on McKinley Parkway was the truck entrance, so in we went, figuring we could drive around inside the fence line until we got to the exhibit building. The only problem was that the exhibit building was outside the fence line and at the South Park entrance. It was kind of cool driving around the grounds where the fair is held in the summer and seeing it without all those annoying people.
But after about 10 minutes, we realized that we were stuck inside and the only way out was to go back to the truck entrance. I can only assume that the guard at that entrance either didn’t see us when we went through the first time, or was having a good laugh at our expense while watching surveillance footage of us driving around aimlessly.
Anyway.
Per the guard’s directions, we drove around to the correct entrance, the Quimby Drive entrance (which can also be used to visit the casino, but not being a gambler, I had never been there.) Excitedly, we found our parking spot, paid our admission fee, and were on our way to view every possible home improvement .
Gazebos, hot tubs, spas.
Windows, roofs, walkways.
What to see first?
Well, obviously, after that long, meandering drive, we headed right for the ice cream stand.
Refreshed, we went through the model home. Really, I would buy that home if they could guarantee that it would always look that way once I had moved into it – no dust, everything in its place, impeccable décor. Only later did I think to wonder whether it came with a garage or basement – but hey, there was a nice tray with wine set out in the master bedroom so that’s good enough, right?
It didn’t take long to stroll through the entire collection of home show exhibits. With Mom next to her, the vendors restrained themselves from pushing Daughter #3 to sign up for the very expensive hot tub or sauna. Daughter’s house already has new windows and a new roof, so we skipped those vendors.
Daughter’s new yard really isn’t big enough for a ride-on mower, but she enjoyed giving Teddy Rosalie a ride.
Then – finally – it was time for the fun part of the tour: the wine tasting room! All New York wines, which are my favorite (I aim to support local business). And the wine tastings were free! I think we tried every one, and purchased as much as we could carry back to the car.
By the time we got to the last wine vendor, I was feeling quite happy.
Time for a break before driving back home.
Time for a nice mother-daughter dinner at Ruby Tuesday in Blasdell. Yum!
Then homeward. All in all, a very pleasant way to spend a beautiful spring Saturday.
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
I’ve never been to a home show – I feel like if I did go, I’d buy a lot of stuff I really don’t need. However, any type of show that has wine is a total winner for me – I’d go to a show displaying pink doilies, as long as they had copious amounts of wine for me to taste. I wonder what this says about me? Nothing good, I imagine.
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I hear you, Trent. Whatever it says about you, it also says about me. When my daughter first asked me to go to the home show, I tried to wiggle out of it – but then she said, “They’re having a free wine tasting.” Yep, I was in!
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Awesome CM. Great photos of your beautiful daughter, Teddy Rosalie and the home show. Teddy must have cut quite a swath driving that lawn mower – Whew! I love Home Shows but never go because I’d buy all sorts of stuff and i don’t have a home – Ha!
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Teddy Rosalie looked especially happy and worn out once we got home. 🙂
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What a fun day with that beautiful daughter, CM. Wine tasting would help. ☺
Home shows would be a bit dangerous for my own daughter, who already replaced septic system, water heater, electrical outlets and circuit breaker, and looking at a faulty well pump, debating the HVAC. In since January, they are facing the joys and challenges of a very over- priced “fixer upper”. But, they are out of NYC. ❤️
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My girl lucked out. She bought a “flipped” house that already had pretty much everything updated – new roof, new windows, new kitchen, new bathroom. Plumbing and electric have already been updated. And all at a price she could afford, since the seller (a contractor) bought the house really cheap at auction and then sold it at a modest profit. She just has to buy appliances, and eventually she will need to replace the siding and driveway.
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Nice day, hm?
I love that they had wine tasting. Wine doesn’t visit many public events here in Indy, let alone at the fairgrounds, where teetotalers have actually boycotted the state fair for fear of people being served 4oz of wine or 10oz of beer…
Anyway, I’m glad y’all had a nice day, including ice cream stands and wine sipping 😀
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I’ve come to love wine tastings. I think I may be turning into a wine snob like my daughter.
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There are worse things to be.
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Love seeing Teddy Rosalie out and about!
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Just wait. She’ll be taking a road trip soon!
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Home shows are pornography for homeowners. Lots of lusting and drooling and yearning 🙂
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That’s a unique way to look at it, but I can’t argue. Definitely a good idea to leave the credit cards at home if you’re going to a home show!
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I think it looked like Teddy Rosalie had….just enough wine. It’s good you left when you did. 😉 😆
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Teddy Rosalie can be quite a partyer! I try to keep my eye on her.
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Incredible!
I started blogging this month, and it is a pleasure that I came across your blog.
It has inspired me to start my third article.
Thank you:)
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Welcome to the blogosphere! Hope you have as much fun here as I have over the last couple of years.
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