Giving Thanks! (#18 of 30)

I’m thankful for the gift of farms in my community. Most roads here pass one; and it’s not uncommon for folks to pull over to watch the animals and, like me, take pictures! Cows, horses, sheep, chickens, ducks, goats, and the like join rows of corn behind roadside fences. Settlers arriving in the late 1700s farmed tracts of land, and several of the original farms (like this one) remain today. Wooded, undeveloped land and residential neighborhoods now weave their ways between the old farms; but the rich history of farming here (just 30 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh) remains and delights!

I’m dedicating November to giving thanks! For years, I’ve kept a gratitude journal in which I jot down things that I’m thankful for. During this month when we’ll celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m going to take my gratitude for God’s good gifts one step further by photographing a particularly meaningful gift each day for my 365 project! I've always viewed the subjects of my images as gifts, but I'm looking forward to this month of intentionally labeling them as such. This will enable me to spend a bit more time dwelling on God's goodness and offering the thanks that He deserves. If anyone would like to join me in this celebration of grace, please do! I’ll be tagging my images: all-is-grace.

[James]

A great view. I like your idea of Giving Thanks and you have posted some good images and thoughtful words. It has prompted me to do something similar.

[Jane Anderson]

Beautiful pastoral scene. As I was reading your list of animals, I was thinking, "E I E I O!"

[Thom Mitchell]

I discovered several years ago that I really like photos with "small" or limited color palettes. Call it "chromatic simplicity," I suppose! This image really appeals to me, Janet. (In fact, now that I think about it, this image is very similar to the photo of mine that made me realize that I'm drawn to "chromatic simplicity"!)

[Jane Pittenger]

Boy, the trees are completely bare! Ours almost are

[Taffy]

What a great 'thankful' scene -- it's beautiful but stark without any leaves. But that lets us see the hills behind. Really lovely.

[Janet B.]

@homefarm Thank you so much, James! I appreciate your kind comment! If you're doing something similar and you'd like to join in, feel free to tag your images all-is-grace! :-)

[Janet B.]

@cejaanderson Hahaha! I never quite know what I'm going to see when I pass by the farms! Thanks for commenting and for the fav. Much appreciated!

[Janet B.]

@rhoing I like your name for your limited color palette preference...chromatic simplicity...perfect! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I really appreciate your support of my project!

[Janet B.]

@jgpittenger Yes, they are certainly are, Jane. We've had some good wind storms lately, which took care of any leaves trying to hold on. Thanks so much for commenting!

[Janet B.]

@taffy Thank you so much, Taffy! All the leaves are down at this point, which really changes the looks of things around here; but I love the seasonal changes so much. This farm is only about a mile away from my home, and I live in a heavily wooded area. What a difference a mile makes!

[Lynne Hart]

good shot, lovely view. Like your commentary really good insight into the history which inspired the shot.

[Kim]

I love the richness in the color of the grass and sky!

[Janet B.]

@lhart Thanks so much, Lynne! I really do love the peaceful, picturesque farms sprinkled throughout the community. Sometimes we have to stop the car for ducks to cross a road, and one time I rounded a bend and found a horse standing in the middle of the road! The farms add a tranquil touch to everyday life here. I love it!

[Janet B.]

@dkc222 Thank you so much, Kim! I always appreciate when you stop by and leave a comment!

[Milanie]

Beautiful, Janet - but where'd all the leaves go? Gosh you got bare trees quickly. Most of ours are losing their leaves, a few are bare, and others have just started changing. We're a mixed bag right now. Love the peacefulness of this scene - you wouldn't picture that so near to a big city like Pittsburgh.

[Janet B.]

@milaniet Thanks for commenting, Milanie! The recent winds did bring the leaves down quickly. I love the beauty of the woodlands I live in (which is only about a mile from this farm), and I also enjoy the peaceful nature of watching the farm animals graze. I suppose that's why I love this community so much. It has both woods and farms...joy!

[Denise (lyndemc)]

That this country scene is just 30 minutes from Pittsburgh is amazing. Those are some lucky cows, having such a nice place to graze.

[Cathie]

Beautiful rolling hills. It reminds me of some of the countryside around here.

[Dinah Pinkston]

This is such a beautiful, peaceful scene ...well worth being thankful for the wonderful gift of getting to see this! This reminds me of the Scripture "The cattle on a thousand hills..." Fav!

[Janet B.]

@lyndemc Thank you for taking the time to comment! The cows do look very content.

[Janet B.]

@cathieg I appreciate your comment, Cathie...thank you!

[Janet B.]

@dsp2 Psalm 50! These cattle belong to Him! Thank you for that reference. Yes, I am very grateful to be able to see peaceful scenes like this on a daily basis; and thanks to your reference, these scenes will hold even more meaning to me now. Thank you, also, for your thoughtful comment and fav. I always appreciate you stopping by! :-)

[bkb in the city]

Great rural shot

[Janet B.]

@bkbinthecity Thank you! :-)

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I always liked that about the western edge of Pa. and the northern panhandle of W. Va. Pretty shot!

[Janet B.]

@olivetreeann Thank you so much, Ann! :-)

[lisa]

i'm partial to farms :o) i never get tired of seeing the fields, the livestock, the crops.... lovely scene.

[Janet B.]

@lisamccloskey Thanks for commenting! I, like you, never tire of farm scenes. :-)

[Paula W]

A beautiful pastoral scene Janet, beautifully captured for posterity.

[Janet B.]

@paulaw Thanks so much, Paula! I appreciate you viewing and commenting. I love to stop and watch the animals. There's a peace about them that always makes the day more pleasant.