A Manly Venture

Moving into this little Wyoming farmhouse with nothing has been an adventure of its own.

Finding things to furnish it with (as all of our things are currently in storage in NC) has been a whole different challenge. Thanks to family, we have what we need (there's a big difference between need and want), but we have been left w

ith some blanks to fill in.

This house is so small, storage is a big problem, and any bit of clutter in the small space is enough to drive me mad.

The problem?:

1. A rodeo of toddler toys around the house and no place to corral them.

2. Finding a toy box fit for my little man who is all boy.

The solution?:

A box that says

HIGH EXPLOSIVES

DANGEROUS

What little boy wouldn't want that warning stamped on one of his possessions?!

I found this old Dupont Explosives box at a flea market in Riverton, WY for $25.

It... needed some work, however.

The box was covered in grime... I don't know what it was, but it was definitely oil based... and hopefully non-toxic... (yikes!)

Tsh Oxenreider at SimpleMom to the rescue!

Using an all natural cleaning solution from her e-book, Spring Cleaning for Normal People, I was able to get the grime (mostly) off. Some needed to be left behind for character, of course.

During my post-purchase glee, I called my mom only to find out that we are connected to this chest in an even deeper way. Come to find out, the Dupont's were close friends of my great grandfathers! I love history.