It’s hard to believe that summer has gone by so quickly and it’s already time to start thinking about ways to warm up our homes.  Well, there’s more than one way of thinking when it comes to that.  Yes, insulation, duct cleaning, leaf raking might be what immediately comes to mind, but Fall is also the perfect opportunity to find other ways to bring warmth into the home.  Where to find some such ideas?  Home Shows of course.

And there are a plethora of them coming this month.  One I’ll be sure to check out in my neck of the woods is the Toronto Fall Home Show from September 18th to 21st at the Better Living Center, Exhibition place (Tickets are $12 for an adult). (Gee, I hope I can get those Tiny Tom donuts).  Other than checking out some cool gadgets, home luxuries, and the like, there are some fun and interesting demonstrations and shows.  As my furniture is all Ikea, one show I’ll be sure to check out is “interior design and lifestyle expert” Janette Ewen’s “Do-It-Yourself High-End Looks for Next to Nothing”.  I’m also excited about some of the cooking demonstrations - mmm, award winning chef, Christopher Ennew’s Spa food - because what’s more homespun than home cookin’?

Some of the other September 2008 Canadian home shows that weekend of the 18th to the 21st are: the Ottawa Capital Fall Home Show from September 18-21 (only $10 for unlimited re-entry), Victoria, B.C.’s 2008 Fall Home Show featuring Colin and Justin of HGTV’s “How Not To Decorate”, and the Calgary Home & Interior Design Show’s own multiple HGTV hosts.

Stateside, there are undoubtabely a bunch, like the Orlando Home Show Sept. 19th -21st boasting Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (new season starts Sept. 27th) fame as their spokesperson, but who’s not on the actual agenda.  On the 26th - 28th there’s the Remodeling & Home Decor Show in Washington, D. C with a line-up of celebrity shows et al. and also a Dog Docks event.  That’s right, Dog Docks, the sporting event of dock jumping, where doggies compete for greatest distance or height jumper.

Sounds like Home Shows have a little something for everyone.

(Photo of Jannette Ewan from www.fallhomeshow.com)