The morning begins here with the rhythm of farm life: feeding the ponies and goats, letting the chickens out, and hearing the stream running along the back of the property. It is rare to find a home that truly combines country living with the comfort of a family residence -- and 355 Rang de la Grande-Chaloupe in Saint-Thomas does exactly that.

The home offers four bedrooms, one full bathroom and one powder room, with natural light flowing in throughout the day. In winter, the wood-burning fireplace takes over, offering the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay inside and enjoy the moment.

At the back, a separate entrance serves as a mudroom -- practical for muddy boots after a visit to the enclosure, or for giving teenagers a little more independence with their own entrance.

The nearly 50,000 sq. ft. lot is designed for living outdoors as much as indoors: a large enclosure for ponies, goats and chickens, a gazebo for summer evenings, and a detached garage offering all the space needed for tools, equipment or a project. The stream bordering the property adds a sense of calm that is not easily found.

In terms of location, it is surprisingly central for a hobby farm: 15 minutes from Highway 40, 15 minutes from downtown Joliette and 40 minutes from the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel. You get the countryside without being far from everything else.

A home where children can grow up with animals in the yard and a stream at the edge of the property -- that is not something you find every day.