What makes Sunny Acre Farm so special? First and foremost, Sunny, its namesake, my beloved draft horse. She was the inspiration for this place. Sunny Acre Farm was born on Leap Day 2020, right before Covid hit the world. Ryan and I moved onto our new acre on February 29 and despite the Covid restrictions, we embarked on many projects to make this place horse worthy and "our own." We did indoor remodeling and outdoor transformations, including adding a much needed perimeter fence around most of the property. Can't have animals without a good fence! I've learned so much being here, from how to make a property horse (and donkey) safe, how to combat weeds in the most effective way every spring, how to raise chicks, what's needed in the way of coops and nurseries for chicks and on and on. I also planted a huge garden the first year. Subsequent years have seen gardens as well but not quite so big, along with flowers. We inherited some flowers planted by others before us, most notably a huge blast of amazing bright orange Asian poppies every May and dozens and dozens of multi-colored stalks of holly hocks in the front yard. Both of those blooms are nothing short of amazing every year. We appreciated this place all the more during Covid because it provided beautiful, private outdoor space to enjoy. And as more animals came to live here over the course of time (more chickens, baby donkeys, more horses, dogs, cats and pigeons), the more I came to realize this place was a sanctuary for all creatures who live here. That is not to say losses haven't happened, sometimes expected, sometimes abrupt and tragic. On this earth, you sadly can't have life without loss, you can't protect every creature you love from all the bad things. There have been heart warming moments every day along with some heart breaking days. At the end of every day, I hope to cultivate more joy and more safety, and make it so the happy interactions and calm enjoyments of days add up to more than enough love to carry the sad times. And even in the sad days, and maybe especially then, the presence of love is all around, even when it's most felt by a deep and profound absence held dear by the treasured memory of the lost loved one. I happen to hold the belief put forth by C.S. Lewis in both The Problem of Pain and The Great Divorce, in which Lewis describes a woman followed about in Heaven by all the animals she loved on earth: "And how…but hullo! What are all these animals? A cat-two cats-dozens of cats. And all those dogs…why, I can’t count them. And the birds. And the horses.” “They are her beasts.” “Did she keep a sort of zoo? I mean, this is a bit too much.” “Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into them.” I looked at my Teacher in amazement. “Yes,” he said. “It is like when you throw a stone into a pool, and the concentric waves spread out further and further. Who knows where it will end? Redeemed humanity is still young, it has hardly come to its full strength. But already there is joy enough int the little finger of a great saint such as yonder lady to waken all the dead things of the universe into life.” C.S.Lewis That, God willing, must be my blessed future. And if so, I shall have the longest train of beasts and birds..... 


My new Roo

 

Remi & Michelle

My beloved Sunny, forever in my heart

Brave Remi at bombproof playday

 

Simon

 

© 2025 Sunny Acre Farm | michelle@sunnyacrefarm.com,   | Meridian, Idaho