Hello, I'm Katie, wife to Simon and Mum to daughters Hannah and Rebecca. I am 38 and have a degenerative eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. I am legally blind but still have a little bit of sight left.
We bought a family house in May 2023 and will be making a few videos to document what we do to our house.
I'll also be making other videos like reviews, shopping hauls, and taste testing ( etc because I enjoy doing it (I just find it very difficult and it often takes me a long time to edit, with my sight problems).
I am also a Celiac and will be reviewing and trying Gluten Free and Ftee From products to give you an idea of some yummy new things to try!
Hopefully, we can put a few videos out that you'll enjoy. Thanks for dropping by :)
Enquiries: [email protected]
Пікірлер
Hannah & Simon make the same sort of face when they tried the cherry Bakewell 😂 I been following for a while but I don’t always post. Hope the decorating is coming along nicely.
Haha! They do! That's OK. Thanks for watching and following. It's very much appreciated ☺️ The decorating is coming along slowly, but we're waiting for the windows to be done so we don't have to re decorate again x
Finally ! No one ever does a gluten free taste test ❤
Thanks! Have you tried any of these cakes?
I have but I find tesco's gluten free range hit and miss .I go to sainsburys mostly as its closer .Tesco gluten free croissants are very good microwaved though .Will you do a taste test from all the super markets? M & S is my favourite but sooo pricey !
@justme-hx8eg I'm eating those very croissants now and microwaved them. They seemed quite hard. I haven't really tried many own brand GF things other than Tesco yet, but I definitely would like to make more videos of other brands. I have a couple more Tesco ones to do, and I may to comparisons between supermarkets at a later date, too. 😃
What is a tea day?
Anything a bit quick usually, often cold, like sandwiches or sausage rolls or a plate of bits and pieces like tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, rolls, cheese, ham etc. Sometimes, we do soup or crumpets for tea. It's just usually not what I'd class as a dinner. 😊
@@mercerfamily4444 I call that a fend day. Fend for yourself.
Ah, interesting! I've not heard that phrase before. 😁
Hello from Louisiana love watching your grocery hauls sure wish our grocery prices were this cheap in the u.s. when we go grocery shopping it's always $250 are more for our family a week blessings to you and your family
Hello! Thank you so much! ❤️ I wonder why the prices in the US (and even Canada) are so high? Everything seems to just be going up and up. Thank you for your lovely comment x
Pure gouging and greed is my opinion. Companies used Covid as an excuse and they conditioned us to expect high prices. As someone who owns two farms and raises Angus beef, you can sure bet that we are not getting that high price when we sell. We just loaded over 110,000 lbs yesterday to go to market and no way are we going to cover the increased expenses for feed, grain, diesel fuel, taxes, insurance, etc.
Wages are much higher in US than Uk
@CarolandDave Are they? That would make sense as to why things cost more. Are you in the US? I get the impression that technology goods such as tvs and laptops etc are cheaper there than they are here in the UK, but I could be wrong.
@@mercerfamily4444 I am in Scotland. The average wage of US and Canada are 3 times the average of UK. They also have many additives (unhealthy ones) in their food. I am an ex nurse and learned all this through research. My husband is a highly qualified engineer and my friends in Canada make 90000 dollars a year for lesser qualified jobs. Watch some videos on you tube. It may enlighten you further
Hi, my dietican has 3 x the peppa pig size fromage frais on my meal plan as a dessert option and says that is a regular person size portion. and kids should have 2 and babies 1. in case you need to decide how many to have. I think the stockwell wheat biscuits taste better too 😀
Ah, that's interesting, thank you! My daughter has 2 at a time, but I didn't realise I would need 3! Yeah, my husband likes the stockwell wheat biscuits. They are much cheaper and basically the same 😊
Looks more like a stock up/snack dhop rather thsn a shop to make a weekly meal plan out of
I buy in advance if things are on offer. I include my meal plan in the videos. Sometimes, I do forget to say things I already have for the meals in the freezer etc. I tend to batch cook things like spag bol or chilli. Gluten Free foods are rarely on offer, so I also stock up on those (ones that'll last anyway) when they are on offer.
I buy fruit and veg every week and I don't buy things I won't use. I shop online as I find I spend less than I would in store.
What you ate describing when you sau you got this and that fron a neighbour sounds like Olio?
Yes, it is Olio. I'm planning on doing a mini video about this because I'm sure people wonder where I get the free food from. 😊
YOUR GROCERIES FOR 4 PEOPLE AT TESCO IN ENGLAND IS ONLY £128. HERE IN DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA U.S.A. A FAMILY OF 4 PEOPLE WILL SPEND $400 A WEEK AS COMPARED TO ENGLAND WHICH IS ONLY £128. SO CHEAP IN ENGLAND AS COMPARED HERE IN DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA.
Goodness me! That's expensive for groceries!! Ours were higher a little while ago, have some products have come back down. A year ago, it would have only cost me about £80 a week to feed the four of us. It's crazy that your prices are so high, when your country is so big it probably manufactures most of its own food etc.
I use fairy conditioner which I like I tried the one you had did not like it. Or I use Comfort pure is nice. I don't like tesco. I am a sainsburys person. Why don't People show what laundry detergent they use. I never buy the cheap and cheerful stuff.
I'm usually happy with the Tesco own versions. I use tesco non bio powder, but I will try a different conditioner next time. I have used and like the comfort one before, which I liked a lot. I just need to go to farm foods where I can get a 5 litre one. I've not used fairy before, but thanks for the recommendation, I'll try it.
@mercerfamily4444 And most people use pods I do much better. Few years ago I used power and they blocked my pipes up so my late husband had to sort it out.
@janstevens1376 Ah, that's interesting. I wonder if that's why now and again I have to re spin the washing as it's absolutely soaked still at the end of the cycle.
Hi Kate another good haul of Groceries and £121.64 is a very price on everything you brought well done. I have the day off work today as we have inspections being Done on the building sites but that is okay me and the girlfriend are doing some Cleaning around our flat that needs doing. Have a great day and talk later 😊😊
Thanks! That's more than I would normally spend, but with the extras that'll be put away and frozen until needed, it bumped it up. Have a nice day off. Bonus days off are always great! 😊
Great haul
Thank you! 😊
Why is his face blurred?
He has asked me to blur him out. 😀
So he's not a spy then😂😂
Sadly not 🤣 That would be cool, though!
Hi Kate you guys did a great Job on striping the wallpaper that is Very hard work indeed as i have done my fair share of it over the years. The ceiling looks great as well it does take time and Money to get things done. But you will get there. Just heading off to work now as it's early Tuseday morning here have a great day and will look forward to the next video.
Thanks! Yes, it's hard work, but it'll be worth it all one day. Hope you have a good day at work. It's been a funny weather day here again today. We haven't really had a summer yet! Speak to you soon x
Is this a reupload?
Hi, yes, sorry, I had to re-edit the video I put up this afternoon.
@@mercerfamily4444 I thought I was losing my mind. LOL
@kristinesharp6286 Ah, sorry for the confusion! 😊
Good haul aswell 👍
Thank you!
I never used to shop in Tesco but the last few weeks I've started too and now I shop in there more than I do asda ❤ new sub here aswell x
Thank you for subscribing! I'm quite a loyal Tesco shopper, but now and again, I might pop in to Asda for something specific. I like George, Asda more than Tescos F&F clothing. What's made you switch to Tesco?
Tesco are supporting National Allergy Week, that's why the free from is on offer.
Oh, that's makes sense. Luckily, it'll still be on offer for my next shopping delivery too
Hi Kate how are you doing got yourself a really good load groceries and £128 for all of it is a very good deal indeed you are a great shopper and yes it's good to buy things on offer when you can for sure. Sorry I haven't been on for a few days but work got very busy for me and we also have been busy visiting family this weekend as well. This afternoon we are heading out to meet up with my Daughter for lunch hope you are having a great weekend I will catch up some more later on tonight as I have almost watch all of your videos.😊😊
@whitefield4 Hello 😃 It does sound like you've been very busy recently! I hope you had a nice lunch with your daughter and that you've got some time to relax after working hard. I love trying to get a bargain if I can and try to shop smart. Hope you've had a great day 😀
It would be interesting to know the cost of your weekly shop at the end of a video like this. Especially with the inflation we've had in the past couple of years, it'd be interesting for people to see what an average family of four needs to spend.
I've started to add it to the end of my weekly shopping videos. I think I've done it for the past two, so far.
Will you be changing the layout at all do you know?🥰
We will be downstairs, as we're planning on putting a garden room in for use as a dining room and blocking the doorway between kitchen and current dining room to fit more worktop and so on in the kitchen. 😊
He did a Good job there nice job on the ceiling and will look lovely after it has been painted. And yes he did a great Job on leveling the floor in the corner closet. There is a huge difference in building codes in the Uk. Then what it is here in Canada. Here in Canada coz of our really cold all houses have natural gas furnances in detach and semi detach houses. In tower block flats like what we live in are all water heated by a massive boiler. Anyhow looking Good got on late tonight as i was busy doing some paper work for my Job. Just off to bed now have a great day tomorrow Kate. Was wandering if you are on any other social media as i am on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. 😊😊 i will catch up some more tomorrow.
I love the heating system you have in Canada! Apart from leaving the floor vent space free, it looks so much better than radiators. He did do a very good job. We've got him coming back for other jobs as he has been very good and fair. I'm very tired tonight as I didn't sleep well last night! Hope you are enjoying your day. I have sort of started a Facebook page, but I haven't done a lot to it at the moment. I need to get in to the habit of posting on it if I can remember 😁
This was a fun video to watch but i love Ginger Beer it does need a Acquired taste to like it. I drink pepsi and coffee and tea mostly now a days. Mountain Dew is also very nice. I enjoyed watching this one.😅
Thanks! It was fun to make. Hopefully, I'll do some more like this soon. My mum told me that the old Jamaica ginger beer that we tried is a very strong one. We tried the dandelion and burdock too, which, from looking it up, seems to be quite similar to root beer? I drink tea mostly. I don't do coffee, as it's too bitter for me, but I sometimes like a mocha with extra sugar. Do you have any suggestions of other fun things to try?
We really liked mountain dew!
Hmm. Need to think about this one as everyone likes different things but I still like a lot of british food that I grew up eating. My girlfriend likes some of it but not all. I will let you know when I think of something.
@whitefield4 I've got a couple of taste testing videos in mind, but any suggestions on what you'd all like to see is good 😀
Great Job on the Demolition Kate. They were certainly built well in those days. 😊
I'm much better at breaking things than fixing them 😅 It's certainly more fun!
Yes I agree it's easier but putting things together is also a lot of Fun. I am in the Construction industry here in Canada and I work for a local builder as Maintenance /caretaker which includes many Jobs . But I enjoy it. The pay is good when we are busy but sometimes we get slow periods and then we just have to be more careful with our money. But I manage
@whitefield4 That'd great that you really enjoy your job! I really wish I was good at building things, but with poor sight, I don't think I'd do a good job. I wouldn't know where to start. I bet it's an interesting job, always doing something different.
Good morning Kate Nice haul of groceries there and a very good price as well £101.00 is very good for everything you got. That is $176.00 in Canadian dollars. Our food prices here in Canada right now are horrible and Expensive. What is it like in the UK at the moment. Anyway I am off to Bed just gone 10:49pm here in western Canada . Have a great day 😊 Talk soon.
Hello 😀 Food prices are fairly high still in the UK. I think a few things have come back down a little bit, but the prices have stayed higher on the whole. It's not too bad, and I try to buy cheaper brands or buy extra packs when on offer if things will last and so on. That's why I do a meal plan, it really helps me to not overspend. Are Canada food prices similar to US prices? I've heard there's are quite expensive. Have a good day 😊
Good morning Kate how are you doing . Sorry for being late in replying back the last couple of days have been very busy for us here. Yes Food prices in Canada right now are Very expensive pretty well across the country but the big supermarket chains have there sales and just have to watch the prices. For myself and my girlfriend we spend approximately between $600-$700 a month just for the two of us. That's £345-£403 a month. We are a Tad higher for Food prices then the US at the moment . It's 11:49pm Saturday night here catching up on videos before going to sleep just going to watch the drinks video now. Have a great Sunday..😊
@whitefield4 Hi! I didn't want to reply earlier, as I didn't want to risk waking you up. Thanks for your message. Woah! Food prices in Canada are very high! That's roughly what I'd spend a month for the four of us. I always think of the UK as being expensive food wise, but it's not that bad by the sounds of it. I hope you're having a great day and enjoyed our drinks video 😊
Good morning Kate he did a fabulous Job on the guttering and looks a lot better.
Morning! (Afternoon for me 😀) He took a long time, but he did do a great job. No more leaks, thankfully. Makes the house look a bit cleaner.
Wow Kate that was one heck of a big Bush and yes its very hard work to do. You and your Hubby did a great Job on it.
Haha! Thanks! It really was huge. 😀
Great vlog. new Subbie. can't wait to see all the changes you make. We vlog too so if you have time come say hi :)
Ah, thank you! And thanks for the sub! I'll come over and have a look 😀
Congratulations on your new house. It looks like the semi that i was born in and lived there until i was 14 and my parents decided to Move to Canada in 1978 . I was 14 then and Now 60 . Miss the UK but Canada has been my home for a long time now.Thanks for the video going to be a beautiful semi when its done.
Aw, thank you very much! I hope it will be a great home for us. I bet it was a big change moving to a new country at 14. Canada looks like a very beautiful country. My husband visited a long time ago, when he was younger. Have you ever been back to visit the UK?
Good morning Yes I have visited a few times but the last time was in 2001 when my Nan died I came back with my dad for the funeral. It was a big change but we got use to it in Time. I am starting to watch your another videos and so far I am really enjoying watching them. I am from Whitefield in Greater manchester where I lived until I was 14. Have a great day and I look forward to your next videos
@whitefield4 Gosh, so you haven't been back for a while then. I'd love to visit Canada one day. I watch a woman on KZread from Canada, and it sounds lovely. Thank you so much for subscribing and watching, I really appreciate it. Ah, I'm down in the southwest, above Devon. Thanks, you have a great day too 😀
What is liner paper?
Lining paper is basically wallpaper, but it goes on the wall for you to paint onto. You can paint straight on to the plaster, but it's not the best idea, so lining paper just makes it look tidier and smoother. 😊
@@mercerfamily4444 plaster must be different there. You can here. At least old plaster walls. Maybe there is a timing for new plaster?
Maybe. I'm not sure, but it would be interesting to find out. You can paint straight onto it here, but if the plasterer didn't do a great job, it would show up more.
What is line paper?
Some homes have other types of windows or archways and some just plain. All the choices are so they match rest of house, rest of neighborhood.
Yeah, I guessed it would be so you can match them all up, I just didn't realise we'd have so many to choose from 😁 Hopefully we'll be able to get the windows done too.
Sainsbury's gherkins in chilli are to die for - i'm addicted to them.
I'll have to have a look for them. Are they hot? (As in, spicy)
Love this idea!
The shelf that slides back is supposed to be over the salad tray at the bottom so you can access the veg/fruit in that drawer from above...that's what I think anyway!
Ah, that's interesting. That would make more sense. Thanks ☺️
Like the birthday cake . Happy birthday to your husband when it comes. Take care 💕😘
Thank you very much! 😊❤️
I just came across your channel, the house looks like it is spacious and a lovely, big garden, it has alot of potential 😊. Can i just ask is it a ex- council house in London?. Also i dont want to sound like im asking too much questions but if you don't mind me asking what is the square foot of house and the garden?. The reason is i'm interested to know is because im buying a 2 bedroom house, smaller but similar layout to your home and the offer has been accepted, im a first time buyer buying on my own. Originally i wanted a Victorian house but ex local authority houses are solid build and have big gardens. I'm enjoying looking at your videos as i will have to do alot of work on my house once everything gets accepted.
Hi, thank you so much for watching and for your comment! We moved last May. It is an ex council house, but not in London. We're in the South-west West of England. The previous owners must have bought it a long time ago from the council, I think. I've just looked at a listing down the road from us, and it says it's 76 square metres. Hopefully, that's accurate?! Congratulations on your purchase! It's a really good feeling to own your own house. We've got so much to do, but it's hard still saving money to get it all done. Good luck with it all, and keep me posted on how it's going. I started this channel, partly so we've got memories to look back on in years to come and see the difference. It's all good fun 😁 x
@@mercerfamily4444 Your very welcome, I subscribed to your channel so I can see future videos and get some tips😊. That is a very good size house. Thank you, it's been one year I've been going on viewings and finally decided to accept, congratulations to you as well. I think I will feel a big relief once I get the keys to my house, I'm just praying that everything runs smoothly as I've still got alot of steps to take. Although I know it is hard work and I need alot of money to save up, I'm actually very excited with decorating and actually doing work on the house, it gives me something to look forward to and focus on. Also the gardening I'm going to love because at the moment I live in a private flat and it's a shared garden so having my own private garden is going to be like a peaceful oasis to me that I can come home to after work. The day that I move into my own home, I will definitely take photos and videos, the first time for anything in life feels like a precious, proud moment. Its definitely nice to do videos and then look back at them with your family for the memories. Will give updates on my journey and hope my experiences can help others, as I've learnt alot😊.
@moila04 It can be a long process, can't it? I take it you're buying in London? I hope it all goes smoothly for you. This was my first time going through the process, too, but luckily, the solicitors pretty much guide you and tell you what to do and when (thank goodness!). You are going to absolutely love having a garden of your own. I want to grow some fruit and veg when we get the chance to sort the garden out. X
@moila04 It'll be great to hear about how things are going with you and what you've got planned. We're trying to fit us all 4 of us in a 2 bed house, so have got some plans that some people might think are odd, but hopefully, it'll work for us while our girls are living at home.
@@mercerfamily4444 I am buying in London. The process started this April. I've been in contact with my broker and solicitor. They have been good so far, I've had to learn new terminology all the time but it's been interesting. I haven't paid the money for the house yet because the solicitor is doing the searches on the house, then I think they will request the money, how long did the overall process take for you?. I really love nature, plants, I'm hoping that I can complete and move in by summer. I would do the same as you, veg, fruit and pretty flowers🌹.
Hi! This is so kind! My SATs started this week and my mum got me something kind of like these
That's really nice of her! I hope your SATS go really well. Good luck 🍀
That was really nice of you good luck to your Daughter and I hope passes all her Sats. I finish my schooling here in Canada which is way then the way the UK does it. I remember my late Mam and Dad helped me and my 3 sisters with our exams in our senior years as I did with my Daughter when she finish school in 2019. She is 23 now and doing very well. Anyway I am off to Bed now just turned 10:54pm Monday night Here in Calgary, Alberta where I live in western Canada 7hrs behind UK time. Have a great day Kate 😊😊
@whitefield4 Ah, I knew someone who moved to medicine hat years ago, and I tried to track him down unsuccessfully. School has changed so much since I went. Expectations are so much higher. I'm glad your daughter is doing very well. Hannah only has a week and a half left of exams now, and then a nice long summer to look forward to. Have a good day 😊
Good luck to Hannah. ❤ A lovely idea. Xx
Thanks ☺️ x
Add a fee grains of rice into your salt to stop the moisture clumping it up. It works with regular salt ❤❤❤
Thanks! I've done that with normal salt before, so I will give it a try 👍 ☺️
It's good to get things done. You've made a lot of progress already.
Great vlogs very genuine ❤❤❤
Thank you so much! 😊
I've subscribed to you, too! X
I absolutely love your down to earth meal plan. I’ve started copying it !
Ah, that's great to hear 😊 Thanks! I try to be realistic and always honest about what I buy and what we eat. I'm no chef, either, but like to have a go at something new now and again. Anything you've tried and liked that you haven't had before? X
@@mercerfamily4444 Tried Bubble and Squeak. Loved it !
@marianraftery It is yummy and also a good way to use up leftover veg 😁
New subscriber here keep up the great work x love the haul x
Aw, thank you so much! And thanks for subscribing x
I pick online orders at a supermarket, sometimes the barcode doesn't quite match the one that you ordered even though its the same product. This is why the item will be substituted for itself, its just a way around the problem.
Ah, thanks for that. It seemed really strange as it's the same thing 😂 I'll know for the future, now.
@mercerfamily4444 no problem, I know it must seem strange. Unfortunately the technology doesn't always work 🤣
You take such good care of your family !
Aw, thank you. I try my best to x
Satisfying to have it done.
It is. And no more leaks, thank goodness!
Ginger beer is nice but i dont blame anyone who doesn't like it, its hot. Haha jellybellyverycherry. I really like dandelion and burdock, strange to use two wild plants for a taste. Yes I did appreciate your joke Hannah.😐 sound of wind. Come on Rebecca stop hiding.Good editing Katie. Next you'll have to do alcohol. Great video. Thanks.
Those tastes are probably something your generation grew up with, so it would seem normal to you (I'm guessing?). They're very much an acquired taste! I don't think we'll do alcohol 😂 I wouldn't be able to cope with that, let alone the girls 😂
That was fun. X
I'm from Seattle USA when you write tea?? What meal is that?
Hi 👋 We do an easy, sometimes cold tea once a week. Can be anything from sandwiches, crumpets, sausage rolls, or soup, to party food bits like cocktail sausages, cheese and pineapple chunks, crisps with dip (small finger foods) or something like nachos. We're often in a rush Thursday evenings, so it's just something I can make quickly 😃
3ft or so. It really depends on how cold it is when it rains. We grow a lot of corn and soybean and moisture year round necessary.
That must be lovely. (Well, it would be for me, as we're not used to getting snow in the south-west of England anymore.)
@@mercerfamily4444 not really. Makes driving difficult.
@kristinesharp6286 I can imagine! I suppose you'd get fed up with it quickly if you had it regularly.
@@mercerfamily4444 a heavy snow is considered heart attack snow since people have them trying to shovel. Heavy I mean wet. Sometimes the snow is very light and dry. Because it gets so cold the snow can turn into ice and some temps the snow melt does not work. If it well known in advance couple inches to fall over the day with the salt trucks out and near freezing weather it’s fine. The trees look beautiful with the snow on bare limbs. If we get 14 inches in a day it’s a mess. School may be cancelled. Some have to work in it anyway. This past January were meant to have a wake/funeral but it was postponed last minute. Many already en route to the event as people were mostly traveling over an hour, in good weather. People should not have started the drive. We were not meant to join the deceased. Some roads closed meaning people stuck. Fortunately not northeast coast on other side of Great Lakes. They really get the snow. They get feet several weeks in succession. We can have a snow storm on Halloween last of October. Or a snowfall in April. There can be an odd one after that. We can also have a day of 70F in February. Because we are in the middle of hot and cold air systems we get a lot of wind. Cause it can be 20 in the morning and 50 later in the day sometimes the result is wind. Windy City was nicknamed cause of politicians at city hall full of hot air. But we really are windy in weather. Fair few tornadoes and hail storms. Very hot in summer.
@kristinesharp6286 That's really interesting information. Thanks for sharing that 😀 I can't even imagine that much snow! It seems crazy to me to think of. I live on the southwest coast of England, so we can get a lot of bad weather and wind. It always seems to be raining and stormy here. We get down to minus 6 Celsius, but not generally any lower than that anymore. And up to about 30 Celsius when we have a heat wave. It's becoming more and more often this temp in the summer now, though, which I really can't cope with. South East England seems to get the better drier weather, but I do love the west. Ah, I didn't know that was why it's actually called the windy city! So interesting! I love Calamity Jane and always thought it was just super windy.