Home Ideas

Charleston-based lifestyle tastemaker Julia Berolzheimer is putting her appreciation of nature and timeless floral prints on full display with the launch of an elegant home collection for Pottery Barn. Perfect for al fresco entertaining and enjoying quality family time in style, the Julia Berolzheimer x Pottery Barn line includes everything from decorative storage baskets and reversible bedding to colorful tableware and even a trendy potting station for organizing outdoor essentials — the first time the retailer has introduced a collaboration in the gardening space. In true Pottery Barn fashion, prices are as low as $22 but go up to $1,999. All of the pieces are available to shop on PotteryBarn.com starting today. “I am thrilled to be partnering with Pottery Barn, an authority in the home space and a brand I admire, to reflect my love for design and the beauty within each detail,” said Berolzheimer, who is originally known on social media as Gal Meets Glam. “Together we created a collection filled with pieces inspired by my own home and garden in Charleston.”

The collection includes an assortment of bedding.
Courtesy

To celebrate the collaboration, Julia hosted a dinner party in Charleston, North Carolina earlier this week at the boutique hotel Zero George, where a small group of editors — including myself — and local design tastemakers had the chance to see some of the products firsthand. “We didn’t want the collection to be overly feminine,” Berolzheimer told Good Housekeeping at the event. “It plays with old-world prints that don’t feel too sweet; they’re very clean and classic.”

“I love all of the pieces in the collection, but the gardening aspect excites me most,” said Julia Berolzheimer. 
Courtesy

While the potting station is designed to store gardening supplies, Berolzheimer also recommends using it as an entry or accent table. 
Courtesy

When asked about how Pottery Barn’s aesthetic complements her own, the mom of two said it all comes down to practicality. “One of the things Pottery Barn does so well is everything is meant for real life,” she said. “It’s just durable and livable.”As for her favorite item in the line? “I love all of the pieces in the collection, but the gardening aspect excites me most,” Berolzheimer shared, noting that her husband is a passionate gardener. The potting station, available in a trendy sage huge, is perfect for storing gardening tools, but it can also be styled as an entry table, a nightstand or even an accent table on a porch. “It really is versatile,” Berolzheimer said. Visit PotteryBarn.com while there’s still time to shop the full collection for a warm-weather home upgrade. And take a look at our favorite pieces below:

Shop the Julia Berolzheimer x Pottery Barn Collection

Willa Melamine Appetizer Plates

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$40.00

Clementine Guest Towels

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$22.00

Aster Charger Plate

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$29.50

Lily Scalloped Party Bucket

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$99.00

Ivy Recycled Glass Goblets

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$48.00

Flora Terracotta Planters

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$29.50

Mae Handwoven Rattan Baskets

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$149.00

Scalloped Lacquered Tray

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$39.50

Clementine Reversible Cotton Quilt

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$209.00

Eloise Embroidered Organic Percale Sheet Set

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$189.00

Marigold Organic Shower Curtain

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$49.00

Potting Station

Julia Berolzheimer
potterybarn.com

$1,999.00

Monique Valeris
Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Robert Radifera Photography for Stylish Productions; Styling by Charlotte Safavi

Peaceful. That’s the sole request interior designer Carrie Miller received when she was enlisted to help transform a single client’s condo in Arlington, Virginia, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-room open layout presented a host of design dilemmas that are typical for small spaces. Every square inch had to be utilized for storage purposes; distinct areas for sleeping, eating and lounging required a cohesive feel; and showcasing the client’s personal artwork collection in an effort to inject personality into the room was non-negotiable. Of course, Miller rose to the challenge with gusto. “Most importantly, my client needed a space that worked for her,” says Miller, principal designer of Lapis Ray Interior Design. “Everything had to have a place. She just wanted to come home and feel like her space was complete.”

The condo’s open layout called for paying close attention to scale, furniture placement and color.
Robert Radifera Photography for Stylish Productions; Styling by Charlotte Safavi

The first order of business was to “be strategic about what she needed” while adhering to a patriotic color palette that gave the layout some much-needed pizzazz. In other words, editing belongings to make room for necessities was paramount. From there, Miller reconfigured the layout a bit, which included moving the laundry area to a nook just off of the bathroom for a cleaner look and pushing the foyer’s closet space to its limit with a smart organizer. “That’s just how that space needs to be used; we tried to be as smart about each area as we could,” she says.

A sliding barn door separates the laundry area from the bathroom.
Robert Radifera Photography for Stylish Productions; Styling by Charlotte Safavi

In the compact lounge area, Miller was tasked with designing around the client’s beloved Restoration Hardware modular sofa, which serves as the perfect spot to enjoy television, read a book or cozy up with her dog. She also installed a rolling ladder with access to upper shelving to “give her more of a footprint to work with.” A sheepskin rug from CB2 and a World Market decorative screen, which creates a sense of separation from the bedroom, add warmth to the interior.

Upper shelving offers additional storage in the lounge area.
Robert Radifera Photography for Stylish Productions; Styling by Charlotte Safavi

Other highlights of the condo include a storage bed — a Design Within Reach find that helps to maximize square footage. “Otherwise, it (under the bed) could just be wasted space,” Miller says. For the kitchen, Miller opted for navy blue cabinets, paired with a tulip table and lucite chairs that allow the eye to rest.

Under-the-bed storage helps to keep the one-room condo tidy. 
Robert Radifera Photography

Navy blue cabinets steal the show in the kitchen.
Robert Radifera Photography

She even introduced a second tier of upper kitchen cabinetry to boost visual appeal and create yet another storage opportunity for the client. A nifty 24-inch refrigerator completes the look, adding a modern touch. “You do not need a huge refrigerator,” Miller says. “This fridge is unexpected, simple, clean and does the job it needs to do.” Overall, this condo is a lesson in navigating small-space living with a focus on style, functionality and efficiency. “It’s a great example of drawing the eye up,” Miller says.

Get the Look: Shop This Virginia Condo

Leilani Tulip Dining Table

worldmarket.com

$549.99

Disintegrated Blue Floral Rug

The Hill-Side
cb2.com

$359.99

Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

No Reviews
worldmarket.com

$99.99

Ivory Sheepskin Throw/Rug

Crate and Barrel
crateandbarrel.com

$379.00

Monique Valeris
Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Jessica Delaney; Design by Megan Hopp

Much like fashion, interior decorating is meant to be a thrill. It’s a way to express yourself without any constrictions or fear of deviating from classic design guidelines. So it’s no surprise that maximalism is gaining steam. While it’s not for everyone, it’s a surefire approach to achieve an Instagram-worthy home that is full of style. What is maximalism? A brief history and some examples of the style:To put it simply, maximalism calls for going bold. Rooms filled with patterns upon patterns. A myriad of unique color combinations. Loads of texture. These are just a few signatures of the audacious style that is favored by a host of interior designers, including Beth Diana Smith and Eleanor Trepte of Dekay and Tate Interiors. “It’s a style, like many others, that has regained popularity and evolved over the years but has existed in different forms, from Victorian to Memphis Design to the modern spin we see now,” says Diana Smith, who is known for her “eclectic maximalist” aesthetic. “It’s fun and brings energy and visual interest to a space.” Trepte says the design style dates back centuries. “I think it started to take off as early as the 30’s in the Hollywood Regency style, and again in the 70’s and the 80’s until today. The term ‘less is more’ died and ‘more is more’ took off strong.” Trepte counts Patrick Mele as one of her favorite maximalism designers, for example, noting that he “breaks rules” and “makes you think about design in a very different way.”

How to incorporate the maximalism trend into your home:Today, Diana Smith notes that examples of maximalism can often be found in bedrooms, living rooms and especially powder rooms, since people tend to be more willing to take design risks in smaller spaces. When it comes to easy ways to experiment with the trend, she recommends incorporating things like sculptural stools, upholstered furniture in striking patterns and large-scale oversized art into a design scheme.

Living room design by Eleanor Trepte.
Ken Hayden Photography

Maximalism is not conducive to holding back, Trepte says. “It’s all about being the most daring you can possibly be. It’s also a form of personal expression without boundaries or rules, which is always fun in interior design.” Trepte likes putting unexpected colors on full display, whether it’s through art and accessories or furniture and wallcoverings. There’s no need to be matchy-matchy either when it comes to displaying decorative objects. “They just need to flow,” Trepte says. In her view, the living room is the perfect spot to embrace the principles of maximalism. “It often reads as the centerpiece of the home, and as such is a place you can express your true style statement strongly and then trickle throughout the rest of your home.”But allow your eye to rest, too, Diana Smith warns. Don’t overlook careful editing during the design process. “I usually start off with all of the pieces that I would love to see in the space and then edit — remove and move around — until it’s my version of perfect. Incorporate bold or statement pieces that can stand out as their own moment in the space, and then build around that.”

Monique Valeris
Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

When fleas show up in your home, you want to get rid of them ASAP. They multiply very quickly, and if left untreated can lead to a bigger infestation. Not only are they a nuisance, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some fleas can carry pathogens that cause disease in humans, so it’s best not to delay tackling a flea problem. To learn more about fleas and how to get rid of them, the Good Housekeeping Institute Health, Beauty and Sustainability Lab spoke with Michael Bentley, an entomologist and the director of training and education for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and Josh Matta, entomologist and senior biologist for Spectrum Garden Brands. Follow the guide below to learn how to get rid of fleas. How long does it take to get rid of fleas in the house?Fleas have a life cycle from a few weeks to several months, depending on a variety of factors such as temperature and humidity. Due to this unpredictable life cycle — as well as environmental conditions and the severity of the infestation — it can take weeks to months to eliminate fleas.How can I get rid of fleas right away? Unfortunately, getting rid of fleas is not an instantaneous process. The good news is that you can — and should — start tackling the problem right away. To effectively get rid of fleas, Matta suggests a simultaneous multistep approach, which means thoroughly inspecting and treating the home, yard and pets. “Flea prevention and treatment go hand-in-hand, so it is important to tackle both,” he says.How to get rid of fleas in your home Sweep and vacuum furniture, carpeted areas and floors, especially where they meet the walls. Bentley says, “Flea larvae are usually located in undisturbed locations such as along baseboards, in the seams of furniture and inside the cracks of floors.” Wash bedding such as blankets and pet beds, especially those placed near those undisturbed areas where fleas frequently breed. If the infestation is severe, you may want to consider throwing out the bedding and replacing it.Treat your home. Bentley says it’s critical to work with a pest control professional to get rid of fleas properly and effectively. A commercial pest control professional can also help determine which products are best to treat your home and yard.Repeat treatments and cleaning. Fleas have a complex life cycle, which means it can take weeks or even months to completely get rid of them. You’ll want to follow the schedule of treatments given by your pest control professional. You’ll also want to repeat vacuuming and washing bedding frequently to get rid of flea larvae and eggs.How to get rid of fleas in the bedIf pets have been in or around your bed, there’s a chance fleas may be there as well. In addition to laundering any bedding and pillows that are safe to wash, vacuum the entire bed: the bed frame, mattress and box springs. You’ll also want to thoroughly vacuum the floors underneath. How to get rid of fleas on dogs, cats and other pets If you see red bumps or hair loss on your pet or see them scratching frequently, that could be a sign that they have fleas — and that you have fleas in your house. Bathe your pets with a shampoo that your veterinarian would approve of, and use a flea comb, especially around your pet’s face and neck and near the base of the tail. It is best to speak with your veterinarian about flea and tick prevention before having to deal with an infestation. Most flea treatments and shampoos for pets carry insecticides like pyrtherins, which can be dangerous to their health depending on the species and/or if not used properly. If your pet is on a flea shampoo or treatment schedule, please report any unusual side effects to your vet or pet poison hotline immediately. How to get rid of fleas in the yardIn order to prevent fleas from traveling indoors on pets, it’s best to regularly treat your yard with an insect control product designed to eliminate fleas. Matta recommends the brand he represents, Ecologic’s Lawn & Yard Insect Killer, which uses mint oil and geraniol as actives that are considered minimum-risk pesticides. “I recommend this product because it is safe to use around children and pets,” he says. “It kills ants, fleas, ticks and more, and can be used on lawns, landscapes and around home foundations.”Can fleas live on humans? Fleas do not typically live on humans; they prefer animal hosts. However, according to Bentley, they will resort to biting people when animals are unavailable and can then readily return to pets. The takeawayFleas will not go away naturally. “An infestation without any treatment will be a long and ongoing battle for homeowners,” says Bentley. “It is best to work with a pest control professional to eradicate an infestation before it becomes a larger health concern for you, your home and your pets.”

Jamie Kim
Contributing Writer and Analyst
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.

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Finding a spider in your home can be an unpleasant experience, especially if it takes you by surprise. They tend to hide in concealed places like the corners of your house or garage. Many spiders are harmless to humans, and can even help keep other insects at bay. But, there are still some with a dangerous venomous bite, and if you don’t want spiders in your home, harmful or not, there are several ways to get rid of them. The Good Housekeeping Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab spoke with Michael Bentley, an entomologist and the director of training and education for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA); Josh Matta, Entomologist and Senior Biologist for Spectrum Garden Brands and Rick Vetter, Entomologist at the University of California, who focuses on spiders. Follow our guide below on how to get rid of spiders and keep them from coming back.How to get rid of spiders at homeWhether you’re trying to get rid of spiders in the bathroom, bedroom, basement or anywhere else in the house, you’ll want to do the following:✔️ Remove the spider. If you spot a spider, there are a few ways to remove it. Trapping it in a container with a lid and placing it back outside is an effective and humane option. But, if don’t prefer that method or the spider is on the run you may want to consider using a spray. We like GH Seal star Zevo Ant, Roach & Spider Insect Spray. This spray is effective and when used as directed, it’s safe around children and pets. ✔️ Get rid of webs. Remove spider webs either by wiping them away or using a vacuum, especially in hard-to-reach places like ceiling corners or behind objects. ✔️ Remove clutter that spiders like to hide in. If you find spider webs amongst some clutter, clear the area so the spider does not have a place to hide. ✔️ Clean up food and empty trash. Spiders aren’t attracted to human food, but other insects certainly are, leading spiders to set up cam near that food source. Keep bugs to a minimum indoors by cleaning up leftover food, throwing out trash and removing any other food remnants that could attract them. What attracts spiders in the house?Spiders come into the house if they’re in search of either shelter or food. They like quiet secluded places like basements, attics, garages or cluttered corners, so keep areas free of clutter and get rid of flies or other insects they may want to feed on. What keeps spiders away from the house? The best way to keep spiders away from the house is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. Seal off any areas where they can sneak inside from the outdoors. Bentley suggests repairing damaged window screens, installing or replacing thresholds or door sweeps and weather stripping around doors and windows. In addition, seal cracks or crevices around the foundation of the home that may provide easy entry. Matta also says, “creating a strong barrier is key.” Out of the Spectrum Brands product portfolio, he advises using Spectracide Bug Stop to create a chemical barrier. The product is sprayed on the outside surfaces of screens, doors, window frames and wherever else insects may enter. Please note that the product contains gamma-cyhalothrin, a potent broad-spectrum pyrethroid pesticide that will also kill other insects such as ants, fleas and roaches. Due to its potential dangers to fish and aquatic life and its toxic nature, our Health, Beauty and Sustainability lab experts suggest using it with utmost care and only when other methods prove insufficient to control your bug problem indoors. How to get rid of spiders in the garageSpiders are attracted to quiet secluded spots with places to hide, which makes the garage a prime location. According to Vetter, “Black Widows are rarely found inside homes — more likely in garages, stone piles and wood stacks so you need to be careful putting on gardening gloves and baseball mitts stored in the garage.” It’s best to clear any clutter where possible, but for storage areas, use airtight storage containers so spiders can’t get in, eliminating a place to hide. When bringing out storage items from the attic, closet or basement, be sure to inspect them carefully for spider stow-aways.Matta also recommends using an insecticide in the garage, like Spectracide Bug Stop from the Spectrum Brands portfolio. According to the brand, it not only kills spiders and other insects that attract spiders on contact, but also acts as a barrier to keep them away. Matta says to spray in the garage, around light fixtures and on porches where insects may congregate. Our Health, Beauty and Sustainability lab experts say to strictly adhere to use directions when handling these powerful pesticides and to make sure humans and pets are not allowed into the garage until after the applied product has fully dried and the area has been well-aerated.How to get rid of spiders outside While you may not want to get rid of too many spiders outside since they can help keep insects under control, there may be instances in which you want to remove them — like a big web building up on your porch. Patio and porch lights attract insects, creating a prime hunting ground for spiders, so consider turning off your lights. Also, Bentley recommends switching out traditional incandescent light bulbs for warm-colored LED lights, as these are less attractive to insects which will help keep spiders away. Common types of spidersAll spiders are venomous, but not all are harmful to humans. Read below for common spider types in the U.S. and whether or not they are harmful. House, wolf, jumping, and long-bodied cellar (daddy-long-leg) spiders. Bentley says: “These species are not considered to be a threat to human health. These spiders all prefer undisturbed, quiet areas to remain hidden and away from human activity. Web-building spiders such as the house and long-bodied cellar spiders will look for undisturbed areas aboveground such as basements, cellars or windowsills to construct webs. Ground-hunting spiders such as wolf and jumping spiders are more commonly found in low-traffic areas at ground level including under furniture and along baseboards.”Black widow and brown recluse spiders. According to Vetter, black widow and brown recluse are the only toxic spiders found in the U.S. Black widows are found throughout the U.S., and brown recluse spiders are mainly found in the central midwest from Ohio to Nebraska and southward through Texas and Georgia. While bites from these spiders are rare, they will bite if they feel threatened. Bentley says can be fatal and should be treated as a medical emergency, so be sure to be extra careful around places where they may live. Black widows are rarely found inside and are likely to be found in dry, dark locations close to the ground such as wood, stone or debris piles. They can also be found in undisturbed items in the garage like baseball mitts or gardening gloves so take care when using items like these. Brown recluse spiders prefer debris and woodpiles, though they may also be found inside in places like closets, under furniture or near baseboards.When to contact a professionalBentley advises contacting a pest control professional at the first signs of pest activity and advises, “While proper prevention will usually keep these creepy crawlers out, a licensed pest control professional will help identify the species in your home and solve the problem.” If you suspect you have brown recluses or black widows, you should immediately contact a pest control professional.

Jamie Kim
Contributing Writer and Analyst
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

No one likes the idea of cleaning dishes with a germy sponge, which is why we all know we should be cleaning ours on the regular. But which method is best? The Good Housekeeping Institute worked with EMSL Analytical Testing Lab in Westmont, New Jersey to find out if using the dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, bleach or vinegar removed the most bacteria — and bleach won.The Best Way to Clean a SpongeBelow, you’ll find the best step-by-step method for cleaning a sponge. But no matter how diligent you are about cleaning, your kitchen sponges won’t last forever. You need to clean them weekly, and toss shabby ones every two to three weeks, depending on use.Mix 3/4 cup of More

While scrolling through social media last June, a shocking post caught my eye. A woman in my neighborhood described a mysterious ordeal involving her husband. Out of nowhere, the previously healthy man had gotten suddenly and severely ill. He had nearly died and was still fighting to recover. Like amateur sleuths, the family had been searching for the cause of his rapid decline. What they discovered, before even the doctors realized it, was terrifying, because it was something that could have just as easily happened to me, literally in my own backyard. The first weekend of May last year, Jim LeBlond was busy with a familiar springtime ritual: clearing out his backyard. He was in a hurry because his city of Madeira, OH — a suburb of Cincinnati — offered curbside brush and limb pickup during the first week of May. “I worked an entire weekend clearing honeysuckle and the weeds around it with an electric chain saw,” Jim says. It had been a wet spring, and the weeds were already everywhere. “I saw a lot of white flowers, but I didn’t think anything of it.” By the time Jim was taking the last batch of limbs out to the curb Monday evening, he started to feel bad. He wasn’t sure whether he was simply exhausted from a long weekend of work or he was coming down with something. COVID-19 briefly crossed his mind, but he was fully vaccinated. He decided to go to bed early, figuring he would probably feel better the next day.

Jeanne suspected that the culprit was something Jim had cut down in the yard.

Instead, at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, he woke up unable to breathe. Frightened, he told his wife, Jeanne, that he needed to go to the emergency room, so they drove to nearby Good Samaritan Hospital. There, the emergency room doctor ran several tests but struggled to understand what was going on. Jim looked healthy, yet he clearly needed more and more oxygen. His chest X-ray showed inflammation. The ER doctor thought it was pneumonia and decided to admit him, still not having ruled out the coronavirus.

Jim LeBlond and his family.
Courtesy of Jim LeBlond

“I remember getting moved to a room,” Jim says. “But my memory of the next three weeks is totally blank.” That’s because things quickly deteriorated once Jim was admitted. He couldn’t breathe, and his oxygen levels were going down. He was being given COVID medications, but he kept testing negative. Within hours of being admitted, Jim was moved to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). By 10:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, he had to be put on a mechanical ventilator. Jeanne wasn’t allowed into the ICU until 9:00 the following morning. “I walked into the room and immediately started to cry,” she says. Her 58-year-old husband had tubes down his throat and was sedated, in a medically induced coma. It seemed unfathomable given that only days earlier he had been laughing at dinner and playing on the floor with his grandchildren. What in the world had made him so sick? Christopher Hayner, M.D., the pulmonary critical care physician at Good Samaritan Hospital who began treating Jim in the ICU, suspected an alveolar hemorrhage, which happens when “the blood vessels that surround the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed,” Dr. Hayner explains. This means the lungs can’t do their job of moving oxygen into the bloodstream as blood accumulates in the air sacs. “Essentially you drown in your own blood,” he says. A biopsy confirmed the grim diagnosis. Now Dr. Hayner knew what was wrong, but no one knew why. Jim didn’t have any of the conditions, like lupus or other autoimmune diseases, that usually cause alveolar hemorrhage. Dr. Hayner ran test after test looking for what might be causing the extreme inflammation in Jim’s lungs — with no luck.

Adam Mazur

Unearthing the Shocking CauseOnce Dr. Hayner had ruled out all the common causes of alveolar hemorrhage, it was time to think about uncommon causes. He wondered whether Jim could have experienced some form of toxic inhalation injury, but there hadn’t been a fire or any use of toxic chemicals. Jeanne is a retired elementary school teacher — for more than three decades, she had taught her young charges to be curious learners. Now she needed to use her own curiosity to solve the ghastliest puzzle she had ever encountered. She began to suspect that the problem was something Jim had cut down in the backyard. But he was unconscious, unable to offer any clues.Jeanne and Jim both come from close-knit families, and their community in Madeira also rallied to help them. Their grown children, Jay and Kate, and their spouses, friends and family helped with tasks and alternated going with Jeanne to the ICU every day. They played Jim and Jeanne’s favorite song, “When You Say Nothing at All,” sung by Alison Krauss, which he and Jeanne had danced to at their 25th wedding anniversary 10 years earlier. They held his hand and talked to him, hoping he could hear them. “I was told many times he might not survive,” Jeanne says. But Jim fought, and one morning when Jeanne arrived, the nurse said, “We have a surprise for you.” Jim was sitting in a chair for the first time in a month. “That was a big deal,” Jeanne says. “Finally, things looked like they were getting better.” He improved enough to be moved from the ICU to a step-down unit. He’d had a tracheostomy, so he still couldn’t talk, and he was still on a ventilator. He was extremely weak, unable even to push a button on the television remote to change the channel. “Lying there, you think you should be able to just get up and go home, but you can’t,” Jim says. He had a feeding tube because he couldn’t swallow or eat, and he had lost 42 pounds. Blood clots formed in his legs — common when someone is confined to a hospital bed — and he needed an IVC filter implanted in a blood vessel near his heart. This small device prevented the blood clots from traveling to his lungs and causing a fatal pulmonary embolism.But he had gotten strong enough to write. At last he could be asked, “What were you cutting down in the backyard?”He wrote, White flower, purple stem. Though Jim was used to white flowers growing in his backyard, the ones he was familiar with were snakeroot, which doesn’t bloom until late in the summer. This time Jim had been working in his yard in early May, so it must have been something else. The family Googled “poisonous plants in Ohio,” and within seconds they had the prime suspect: a plant so toxic that it had been used as a poison for centuries — poison hemlock.

The flowers of these two plants look strikingly similar, but poison hemlock has a purplish stem and blooms in late spring or early summer, while Queen Anne’s lace has a fuzzy stem and its flowers appear in late summer.
Adam Mazur

Swiping through the Web, they saw abundant images of poison hemlock in fields, on the sides of roads and at the edges of parks and playgrounds, and they read about how it had been invading specific states such as Ohio. It was tall and wispy, almost like giant parsley. It had blotchy purple stems and clusters of big white flowers. Had this been in their backyard?They showed Jim the pictures. He nodded and wrote, That’s it.According to Joe Boggs, an assistant professor of entomology for The Ohio State University Extension, poison hemlock contains highly toxic compounds and could cause respiratory failure and death if ingested. “The chemicals are in the sap, but the sap circulates throughout the whole plant, including the roots and seeds, so all parts of the plant are toxic,” Boggs says. The theory was that by taking a chain saw to it, Jim had aerosolized it, or thrown that sap into the air in the form of extremely fine droplets, which he then must have inhaled. “I have to give the family credit for doing the deep dive and figuring out poison hemlock,” Dr. Hayner says. When he learned about the plant, he understood how it could have happened. “Anything you can touch, you can also inhale,” he says. The toxic aerosolized poison hemlock particles caused respiratory failure.Jim’s case raised an alarm bell for Dr. Hayner, who had a large wooded hillside on his own property. He feared that poison hemlock might be lurking there as well. “We had been trying to clear the hill. The minute we figured this out, we stopped,” he says.A Town Rallies and Raises AwarenessDr. Hayner wasn’t the only one who was suddenly looking at every patch of weeds around, wondering if it possessed enough toxins to kill. I’d stop in the middle of runs and glower at wispy weeds on the side of the road, wondering if they were poison hemlock but afraid to get too close. It was as if my entire city of 9,000 was on the lookout. We read Jeanne’s Facebook updates about Jim, looked for purple stems and learned to tell the difference between poison hemlock and Queen Anne’s lace. Even then-mayor Nancy Spencer advocated educating the public about poison hemlock at a city council meeting. She included information about how to recognize it in a citywide newsletter and was looking for more ways to raise awareness about the invasive weed. Neighbors, friends and fellow church members rallied around the LeBlond family and provided continuous meal delivery through Jim’s hospital stay and beyond. They cut the family’s grass, re-stained their deck, made the house accessible and helped with medical bills. “People who didn’t even know us stepped up to help,” Jim says.

A local high school band welcomed Jim home after he spent more than three months in the hospital.

Ultimately Jim needed surgery on his heart, which had been damaged because of the problems with his lungs. He began to improve dramatically after the surgery and was finally able to come off the ventilator and the feeding tube in late July. As he began rehab at a facility in early August, he knew it would be a long road to recovery; sometimes five different physical therapists would work with him at once. With his tracheostomy removed, he had to relearn to talk and to swallow. It took an incredible amount of work for him to sit up on his own, stand and eventually walk. But this wasn’t the first time he’d had to relearn basic tasks. He had broken his hip in an accident when he was 14 and had then been in a wheelchair for nearly eight months. “I learned that you never tell a physical therapist no,” he says.

Jim and his family after he was released from the hospital and finally home.
Courtesy of Jim LeBlond

After 109 days, Jim finally came home on August 21. “There were many, many tears of joy that day,” Jeanne says. Everyone gathered for a welcome-home party, and the high school band played in the neighbors’ yard as Jim got out of the car. It would be several weeks before he could walk more than a few steps and several more weeks until he could play with his grandkids or drive again. He continues to do daily physical therapy to regain his strength, but the desire to do things like walk the dog and kick a soccer ball with his granddaughters again keeps him motivated. His recovery has already been miraculous, and his doctors anticipate that it will continue.“Sometimes I think, What if our grandkids had picked those flowers?” Jeanne says. That’s why she and Jim want to do everything they can to help raise awareness about poison hemlock. Their community gave them so much, and they’re eager to pay it forward by helping make sure others’ backyards are safe. Beware Poison Hemlock’s toxic cousin: Wild Parsnip

Adam Mazur

Poison hemlock is highly invasive and is in nearly every state in the U.S. It has especially become a problem in the Midwest and the South, says Joe Boggs, an assistant professor of entomology for The Ohio State University Extension. Wild parsnip, a slightly shorter plant with a flat cluster of yellow flowers, causes terrible blistering if the sap gets on skin and is exposed to sunlight. Here’s what to know about these two wild menaces, which often grow together:Where they grow: You are more likely to find these plants growing at the edges of your property than you are to spot them amid your flower beds. Why they are taking over: Land overdevelopment and overgrazing are big culprits. Mowing equipment that isn’t cleaned after the clearing of patches of these plants is also spreading the seeds.When you’ll see them: In spring and early summer. Both are generally done blooming by July. How to get rid of them: Never use a weed eater or a chain saw. If you wear protective clothing (goggles, gloves, mask, long sleeves and pants), you can pull up poison hemlock and bag it like other yard waste, Boggs says, but to be safe, you might consider using an herbicide to kill it. As for wild parsnip, do not touch it: Spray it with an herbicide.How to prevent their return: Once the poison hemlock or wild parsnip is dead, spread some grass seed as soon as you can. “Grasses are very strong competitors against these plants,” Boggs says.

Judi Ketteler
Judi Ketteler has written about youth culture for the The New York Times and Los Angeles magazine, and is the author of the forthcoming book, Would I Lie to You? More

When you think of Ree Drummond, what’s the first thing that comes to mind—besides, well, floppy-eared pups and comfort food? For us, it’s florals. The Pioneer Woman’s personal style has been synonymous with bright, cheerful blooms for years now…and we’re not just talking about her wardrobe. Floral pie pans, floral quilts and shams, floral bath mats and towels…you name it, she’s got it.And as of today, she’s taking the whole “floral” thing even more literally: Ree just announced the launch of a brand-new outdoor line at Walmart, and it’s safe to say it’s her sunniest creation yet.

The Pioneer Woman Outdoor Collection

“One of my favorite things about spring is watching everything come to life and being able to enjoy more time outside—both on the porch and in the garden. I just couldn’t help but bring that into a full outdoor line,” Ree says. “I absolutely love this new collection, and can’t wait to see the different ways the products are used to bring color and fun to outdoor spaces!” Here’s what you can expect from the new line, available now at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com: Gardening Tools and Accessories

Walmart

Be still our pretty-pattern-obsessed hearts! Multi-piece tool sets, gloves, hats, watering cans, and hose hangers all look a whole lot cuter when they’re decorated with Ree’s signature designs. And just wait until you see the new potting bench! 😍 You’ll be that much more inspired to step out into your garden each day.

Shop the Garden Tools and Accessories

The Pioneer Woman White Wood and Metal Potting Bench

The Pioneer Woman Blue Wood Raised Garden Bed

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom Gardening Tool Set

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossoms Gardening Gloves

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Gardening Gloves

The Pioneer Woman Gardening Straw Hat

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom Gardening Tool Set with Basket

The Pioneer Woman Embossed Hose Pot

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral Gardening Gloves

The Pioneer Woman Decorative Metal Floral Hose Hanger

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Blue Metal Watering Can

Plant Stands and Bistro Sets

Walmart

Ree’s eye-catching new stands are available in two vibrant color schemes—turquoise and mosaic—and they make for the loveliest accompaniment to her turquoise bistro set. Featuring two chairs and an elegant-looking table, it’s definitely the centerpiece of the entire collection.

Shop the Plant Stands and Bistro Sets

The Pioneer Woman Goldie 3-Piece Cast Aluminum Garden Bistro Set

The Pioneer Woman 16-Inch Cast-Iron Teal Plant Stand

The Pioneer Woman Tile and Iron Plant Stand

Decorative Planters

Walmart

Whether you place them on a kitchen island or leave them outside in the sun, Ree’s sturdy new stoneware planters are a must-have. They’re available in classic embossed and floral varieties as well as a variety of more creative designs: Country boots, teacups, and cows (plus, there’s one inspired by Charlie the dog) all available.

Shop the Decorative Planters

The Pioneer Woman Drummond Truck 6-Inch Planter

walmart.com

$16.47

The Pioneer Woman Mazie Red Resin Planter

walmart.com

$22.97

The Pioneer Woman Heritage Floral 8-Inch Planter

walmart.com

$16.42

The Pioneer Woman Just Red Boot Planter

walmart.com

$16.97

The Pioneer Woman Embossed Daisy Teal 8-Inch Planter

walmart.com

$14.97

The Pioneer Woman Mazie 10-Inch Teapcup Planter

walmart.com

$16.42

The Pioneer Woman 12-Inch Geo Resin Planter

walmart.com

$22.97

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Gingham 6-Inch Planter

walmart.com

$9.94

Bird Feeders and Birdhouses

Walmart

Let your winged friends in on the beauty of your outdoor space with one of the collection’s beautiful new homes and feeders. They’re impossibly cute and would look lovely hung from a sturdy tree branch or porch beam.

Shop the Bird Feeders and Houses

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral Hopper Bird Feeder

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Hopper Bird Feeder

The Pioneer Woman Mazie Lantern Bird Feeder

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom Lantern Bird Feeder

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral Wood Birdhouse

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Wood Birdhouse

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossom Yellow Wood Birdhouse

The Pioneer Woman Blue Maizie Wood Birdhouse

Outdoor Pillows, Cushions, and Rugs

Walmart

Bring a homey feeling to your yard, porch, and patio with embroidered outdoor pillows, patterned rugs, and more. There are so many designs to choose from.

Shop the Outdoor Pillows, Cushions, and Rugs

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Outdoor Seat Pad

The Pioneer Woman Fiona Floral Outdoor Seat Pad

The Pioneer Woman Green Washy Trellis Outdoor Seat Pad

The Pioneer Woman Floral Patchwork Outdoor Seat Pad

Embroidered Vintage Floral Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Howdy Cow Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Kickin Back Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Floral Dance Stripe Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Embroidered Mazie Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Love Blooms Here Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Embroidered Bird Outdoor Pillow

The Pioneer Woman Multi-Color Outdoor Rug

The Pioneer Woman Navy & Cream Scallop Outdoor Rug

The Pioneer Woman Floral Dance Stripe Outdoor Rug

The Pioneer Woman Red Vintage Floral Outdoor Rug

The Pioneer Woman Ditzy Stripe Outdoor Rug

Citronella Candles

Walmart

The new floral potted candles are an excellent choice for anyone who loves outdoor entertaining. Not only are they beautiful, but their citrusy citronella scent will keep mosquitos away from your patio and porch so you can really enjoy that al fresco meal you’ve been thinking about. Dreamy!

Shop the Citronella Candles

The Pioneer Woman Mazie Floral 3-Wick Citronella Candle

The Pioneer Woman Breezy Blossoms 3-Wick Citronella Candle

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 3-Wick Citronella Candle

The Pioneer Woman Betsy 3-Wick Citronella Candle

Rebekah Lowin
Senior Editor
Rebekah Lowin is a Senior Editor at The Pioneer Woman, covering home décor, food, entertaining, crafting, gardening, and holiday.

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