Our First Farm Auction

Saturday Abby and I went with our friends, the Mikulec's, to the Danville Auction. Held twice a month, it is owned and run by an Amish family. Abby got her first experience seeing the way they dress and act and there were plenty of horse drawn buggies to see. We weren't there for all of it, but the auction begins with tools and farm equipment, then straw and hay. Farmers wanting to sell, pull in with trailers loaded to the sky with square bales of straw or hay. Farmers needing some, come with empty trailers or truck beds. (that will be us very soon!) Then everyone can warm up because, it's into a building to bid on all the delicious (and fattening) home-made goodies - straight from the amish ladies' kitchens. Noodles, pies, cakes, cinnamon rolls (this is where I caved in...$1.25 for a plateful of huge rolls, slathered in creamy icing) and also farm fresh eggs. From lots of 4 dozen to 32 dozen. This seems to be the place where all the locals go on Sat. morning. Rows and rows of people, enjoying company and not being quiet for the auctioneer - it's not that kind of place. Slightly dark, lit only by gas lights, warm and fragrant from all the baked good and very chatty & cozy. Oh, I forgot to mention the home-made doughnuts (caved then too... It's called a cheat day, I believe). After all the baked goods are sold, most of the people head home to enjoy their good deals. The farmers in need of any animals stay and mosey on out to the barn. At auction on this day were, many hens & roosters, two half-grown turkeys, 5 or so bigger goats, a baby white goat and approx. 6 (cute) dwarf baby goats. Lots of rabbits and a crateful of beautiful doves. Next time, we might see some calves. We are eagerly awaiting the next auction and can't wait for Dan to go with us!