bucolic french countryside

by Sharon Santoni
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A large part of my blog, and my life actually, is all about seeing the beauty around me.  Not everyone will appreciate the attraction of a herd of dairy cows, but these girls stopped me in my tracks as they meandered down to drink in the river.
Another month or so and they’ll be kept in barns for the winter, so nice to see them enjoying the sunshine and green grass.
Wishing you a happy weekend,
 may you also enjoy a little unexpected beauty.
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And look at this!   Linda, of the blog All new at 62, was inspired by these pictures, and sent me a copy of her lovely drawing – quite wonderful – thank you Linda!!

39 comments

ivana September 22, 2012 - 9:51 am

really idyllic. Have a nice weekend, draming of being your guest someday!

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earthenmagic September 22, 2012 - 10:05 am

…naturally beautiful! ~ blessed be dear kindred!… …xXx… …Samantha…

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The Moerks September 22, 2012 - 10:51 am

Oh I see the beauty in them. What a lovely bunch of girls. They look so shiny and healthy.

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Lost in Provence September 22, 2012 - 11:15 am

Loved this. I also posted a video with some "girls" in them this week–what are the chances of that! 🙂 But I too found their presence so calming and lovely.

Bon weekend, Sharon. I bet your weather up there is starting to turn already, non?

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Debra Green September 22, 2012 - 12:13 pm

I love the countryside so keep the photos coming! I love pigs myself, could look at pigs all day, I find them very serene and calming and love scratching their backs when I get a chance.
Have a great weekend and hope you get some sunshine!

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Sandy September 22, 2012 - 12:50 pm

Such a wonderful calming scene to stumble
upon.. just to sit in that area would be
so nice…
Great Shots.
Sandy

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Im Spiegel September 22, 2012 - 2:38 pm

aaawwww! Wonderful cow pictures!

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Katherine September 22, 2012 - 2:50 pm

As if the sun glistening on the water wasn't picturesque enough, these beauties wading in for a cool drink makes the image pop. The 'girls' look healthy with their shiny coats and couldn't seem to care less that the paparazzi was stopping by.
Great shot!

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pve design September 22, 2012 - 2:53 pm

Sharon,
How I would love to visit you and spend time soaking up all that beauty around you.
Wrapping up something beautiful for you….sending beauty your way.
We can always welcome more beauty.
pve

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Splenderosa September 22, 2012 - 3:02 pm

Sharon, this could be a scene from our Texas countryside. Looks exactly like this. I so appreciate that you take time to smell the roses and bring all of it to life for us, the days are prettier because of you. Sending a big hug, sweetie…

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De tout, de rien September 22, 2012 - 3:31 pm

I absolutely love cows. Especially in such a natural setting like this, it's like looking at a painting. Especially the first picture, with the trees. Wonderful scene. I too would have stopped to snap a few pics, for sure!!!

It makes me happy.

Have a great week-end, Sharon!

Nicole
xxx

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French Girl in Seattle September 22, 2012 - 4:09 pm

OK. This is just perfect. Normandy + cows! Almost a cliche, and I could not help thinking about the famous pop song of my childhood, Stone and Charden's "Made in Normandy." – Have you heard it, Sharon? 🙂 Bon weekend! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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Geli September 22, 2012 - 4:27 pm

Hello Sharon, I love your beautiful photos with cows and landscape!!!!!! Have a nice weekend!

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Wild Oak Designs September 22, 2012 - 4:49 pm

I love cow shots! What a great bucolic picture. It makes me feel calm….thanks.
Do these cows live near you?
Nancy
https://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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Loulou in France September 22, 2012 - 5:45 pm

The Normandy cows stop me in my tracks all the time. I adore them!

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Lorrie Orr September 22, 2012 - 6:00 pm

Just lovely. Those cows look fat and happy. Hope your weekend is full of good things.

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Kristie Franklin September 22, 2012 - 6:02 pm

Fat and sassy cows! I'm glad they still get to enjoy the free roaming in the fields. It's kinda sad that they will be kept in barns soon. I bet they won't like that! 🙂 Great photos!

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serena September 22, 2012 - 6:09 pm

Love this post! These girls are so beautiful – any idea of the breed name?

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Our French Inspired Home September 22, 2012 - 6:13 pm

Our family has White Brittish Park at our family farm. I always love to stop and watch them too!

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Botanic Bleu September 22, 2012 - 7:04 pm

Seeing these cows make me smile also. My sister-in-law, not my brother :), raises Limousin cattle in north Alabama. They live in the middle of a big pasture with a pond in their backyard. The cows meander all around the house yard and gardens that are protected by fencing.

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Gee Singh Newbanks September 22, 2012 - 7:57 pm

Such peaceful pastoral scenes. I have been getting the urge to paint cows of late, and bees seeing a lot of cow pictures. Hmmm….
Thanks for sharing.
Pop on by and visit me place…
http://www.simplymedesignsbygee.blogspot.com

Cheers, Gee

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kabayoz September 22, 2012 - 8:42 pm

Very picturesque. Even in France, the cows know how to live the good life…:) They seem so contented, grazing in pasture and getting drinks from the river. Very natural and beautiful. I won't mind getting my milk, cheese and yogurt from the farmer who raised them.

Have a great weekend Sharon!

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Maureen Eberhard September 22, 2012 - 9:11 pm

It really does look beautiful, but unfortunately those cows are also polluting the river with their waste that they drop into it. Dairy farming causes a large part of water pollution world wide and best practice is to fence off the waterways so that cattle do not have access to it. Sad but necessary.

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Georgia Gibbons September 22, 2012 - 11:49 pm

I love your pictures of the cows in the stream. I have a picture like that in my kitchen. A sweet memory from days gone by…

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Margaret September 23, 2012 - 1:42 am

'The lucky cows', it reminds me of a scene I photographed on my last trip to France in 2001, on the way to Giverney. It gives me a good feeling to see them enjoying themselves.

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Susan Libertiny September 23, 2012 - 3:05 am

Even the cows are beautiful in France! I love these photographs. The French country side is calling my name to visit next summer. I am still dying to see Monet's garden. Your posts have made France irresistible.

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Cindy The Victorian Journey September 23, 2012 - 5:37 am

I love cows.. we inherited one it was a black Angus. We only had the one but we named it Herd…so that way we could say we had a herd… I know! We thought it was funny… LOL.. Cindy

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StagerLinda September 23, 2012 - 5:39 am

Just dropped by Sharon, and so glad I did. Love the cows and your great pictures…reminds me of my grandparents farm. Thanks!

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Kathie September 23, 2012 - 8:26 am

I have been reading and drinking in your blog for many months now. This is my first time to comment. I am so grateful for the beauty in your life you share with me and others. My life has been trying in recent years, and it warms my heart to see such things. I do appreciate the wonder of your country home and land, your sweet animals, lovely lovely bouquets and spoils from loot shoots. The funny tales, and thoughtful words are uplifting. Your doing a good thing, thank you..kindest regards.

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peggy braswell September 23, 2012 - 4:44 pm

Stunning + those girls look so happy! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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LA CONTESSA September 23, 2012 - 5:38 pm

Beautiful photos SHARON………….really Beautiful!I adore cows!Have always wanted one of my own.Are you able to go up to these and give a little pat?You have a BEAUTIFUL life!I hope you realize that!Keep the photos coming!

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FlowerLady September 23, 2012 - 5:39 pm

Seeing cows always makes me feel happy and peaceful.

Thank you for yet another glimpse of your lovely part of the world.

FlowerLady Lorraine

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Mary Palumbo Collings September 23, 2012 - 7:03 pm

I love seeing cows grazing in the countryside… Just beautiful, how sweet they look in the water too.
Ciao for now…

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Anonymous September 23, 2012 - 9:35 pm

Now who would not praise the presence of nature in all its glory?? Sel.

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CWoodyard September 23, 2012 - 11:04 pm

Absolutely love this cows, so Normandy and so comforting. Thankyou, Cynthia

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pink*cherub*moon September 24, 2012 - 12:27 am

I adore cows! I will stop my car to take their pictures, talk to them and admire their cuteness! Love the cover photo of your blog as well. I used to have a golden retriever, such a wonderful dog, and am very fond of horses as well! Your house looks gorgeous – love the style of architecture. I'm really enjoying following your blog! Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Leena

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Carmen Wunsch de Alvarenga September 24, 2012 - 1:24 am

loved the "unexpected beauty" …

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Anonymous September 25, 2012 - 10:31 pm

I love your blog. I have been reading it several months. I have now decided that a trip to France is in our future. We just returned from Germany and Austra. I love your finds and the beauty pictures of the country side. We love the big cities, but our true love is the country side. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

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Lelia August 12, 2016 - 6:27 pm

We have cows on our family farm that my husband, three kids, and I enjoy. We had plans to build a home on our farm, but the things we want in life and the things that happen sometimes do not work out because God has greater plans. We are in the process of of purchasing our first family home (away from our farm) and I am completely overwhelmed because for several years we we wanted to live on the farm with our cows not to mention all the things that go with a new home like decorating. My mother in law sent this to me for some reason thru Pinterest. I read what you wrote and it has inspired me to not only see the beauty in our new home, but also inspired some decorating ideas. I’m going to have our cows photographed in our favorite spot in our creek to hang in our new home! Thank you for sharing!

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