Back on Patrice's Porch

I haven't met up with you for a couple of weeks, Patrice, so I'm glad to spend some time with you today. Thanks again for posting your great questions, and for getting our conversation started.


1. Who has the most outgoing personality in your family?

Hmmm, that's an interesting one. Our four children are so different in personalities. No - let me take that back: the girls are very different from each other, and the girls are very different from the boys. However, the two boys are so similar. The Wee Guy looks just like DR did ten years ago, and for me, it's like having DR all over again.

Take, for example, football. Recently he has become obsessed. He goes out to play footie in out back garden - that's fine. He wears his football strips - that's fine.

I often wonder to myself where this guy got his obsession with football? (Hmmm, let's just say it wasn't from his father.)

But what is not so fine is that he spews out unending streams of useless information on every jot and tittle concerning football.

"Mum, did you know that X cost X million pounds?"

Nope. Didn't know. Actually, that went in one ear and out the other, so I still don't know.

"Mum, see this player, he's 25, began his professional career with Liverpool; played X games in his first season, and Y games in every season since. He cost blah blah blah"

"Mum, see Team X's stadium - it was built in 1927. Its capacity now is 58,000."

It used to be battles.

He fought in them, re-enacted them, talked about them, read about them, and yes, spewed out unending streams of information on them.

I did see him today combining the two. He was wearing a Rangers strip, but added to it was a helmet, a sword, and some definite fighting moves.

(Oh, hang on... maybe he was just preparing for a visit to Parkhead.)

**Insert nervous laugh**

Oh, if you're not Scottish, please don't worry about that last conversation. Be happy you are able, with Manuel to say, 'I know nothing'.

Anyone still reading this??

And Patrice, what was the question?

Oh yes, outgoing personalities. 

Actually, that wasn't answering your question very well, but I was giving you a flavour of the Wee Guy, and I can tell you that it's like having DR all over again.

As for outgoing personalities ... Well, it sure aint me - shrinking violet is what I am. I think DR and Catherine both have outgoing personalities. DR is more bold than Catherine; Catherine is more bubbly than DR. (Methinks DR will be pleased that he hasn't been described as 'bubbly'. Wouldn't y'all say?)

DR, I think, would be happy to be dropped off anywhere in the world, and he would happily make conversation with anyone he met. Whether Prince or Pauper, he would find an interest in the person, and would soon have invited the person to come and stay with us for a few days.

Yes, I think he'd be the most out-going of us all.


2. How did you name your blog?

Well, when I decided to blog, my first thought was the phrase No Place Like Home, simply because for me there is no place like home. I then discovered another one or two (or three or four) had thought of that too! 

I have no idea how the inspiration for Homeschool on the Croft came, though! A moment of genius, maybe. Or simply that we homeschool and live on a croft. That's logical.


3. What's your favourite topping for ice-cream?

I never have toppings on ice-cream, but I make an ice-cream, which isn't really ice-cream, so I don't really make ice-cream, but I do make a pudding with whipped cream and broken up meringue, which is frozen so it seems like ice-cream. This is then served with hot chocolate sauce which is made from double cream (heavy cream, I believe it's called across the Pond) and Dairy Milk chocolate. It has to be Dairy Milk. Hot chocolate sauce with this ice-cream-which-is-not-ice-cream .... Yum!


4. Tell me about someone you know who would make a wonderful character for a book.

Oh, Big Brother, without a doubt.

In this post, he Smiles! Go see for yourself.

Told you!

There are two posts on him shearing his sheep. See Part I here, and then read Part II.

And this Delighted to Announce post shows Big Brother, again in his element, though not smiling. 

Surrounded by his sheep. BB at his happiest.

BB shearing

taking a break in the peats, along with the Builder.

Smiley pair, aren't they.

BB and my two fellas, heading down to get some sheep.

My sons, my Builder and Big Brother - probably discussing some deep matter of great historical significance. Or they may have been talking about the weather.

So, what do y'all reckon: Would BB make a wonderful character for a book?

He also loves the limelight. Ahem.


5. Please tell me up to three questions that you think I should ask on a future farmhouse chat.

Oh, Patrice, you know I'm rubbish at these kinds of questions. Let me see ... one question has to be about food - after all, we never tire talking of food. 

Then a question about politics. Yes! That will get people going. Or maybe not. I am not political myself (excuse me, why did you splutter and choke when I said that, Marina?). For those of you who don't know, Marina is my sister. She knows me, hence her choking splutter.

Finally a question on holidays (vacations). Now that we are into February, our conversations are often turning to summer holidays. Hang on ... it's March! Anyway, the fact remains - I am beginning to see a certain son of ours browsing airline websites; I am hearing him say things like, 'I know I said I wouldn't go to America this summer, but ...'.

So holidays. Yes, let's make us all smile, either with memories of previous holidays, or with plans for future ones.

An unforgettable holiday moment is ____________________________ .

There you go, Patrice. These are my suggestions. 

Have a great week, y'all. And feel free to let your editor know about our fabulous character for that book ;)