If your camera has the options, you need to use low iso, and high shutter speed to get shallow depth of field.
This image has very low contrast. I don't see much for shadows in this image, so I am guessing that the sky was overcast when it was shot.
For better focus on the subject that you choose, try centering the view in the camera on that object, then push the shutter lightly, which will set the focus and exposure, then hold the shutter that way while you compose and shoot the shot. That will lock the focus range on the subject that was in the middle when you applied the light shutter pressure.
Welcome to DPC, and it is nice to see you entering challenges.
Peaceful it is. I think you may have missed the focus on the foreground subject though, and the desaturation process has left this looking a little flat. Maybe a boost in contrast or a curves adjustment would fix that :)
I think this would have more impact if it was either in color or had more contrast. I would also like to see the background a little bit more out of focus.