Corporate Lawyers go Cottage Industry

April 29, 2008

Corporate Lawyers go Cottage Industry

Talk about life style change! Robert & Kara Brooks, husband & wife, ages 50 & 34 respectively, left corporate litigation behind to open Still River Cafe in Eastford, Connecticut. Turning a 150 year old barn on 27 acres deep in the Connecticut countryside into a "jewel box operation", they are noted for growing their own organic produce and using local sources for their meat, fish and poultry. I have a special place in my heart for this gem of a restaurant. Not only is it an inspiration for me on my quest to start my own business, but I was married there last summer - to the man of my dreams I might add - and it was the perfect place for me to celebrate a new beginning!

Heidi Howard - another Eastford, Connecticut entrepreneur!

Comments

Luna Levy said…

Hi Marie Louise,

Beautiful photos on your blog - and very inspirational posts! I love the banner photo - where was it taken?

Keep in touch!

May 4, 2008 at 3:02 PM

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said…

gorgeous! sounds wonderful!

May 4, 2008 at 5:18 PM

Marie Louise said…

Stephanie - the banner is just something I found online. Having lived there, I suspect it is the countryside in England - although I am pretending it is New England because parts of Connecticut (where I live) are just as bucolic. I'm curious, how did you end up in Munich. I was an ex-pat for ten years myself.

May 4, 2008 at 5:23 PM

Marie Louise said…

Krissy - I've been to St. Louis, but only to the airport. They've got the "Spirit of St. Louis" there. I do work for an upscale national restaurant chain and there is a location in St. Louis. They call it "Clayton" - is that a part of town?

May 4, 2008 at 5:25 PM

Unknown said…

This is so gorgeous! I would love to have a special meal or event there. You are a lucky girl!!!

THanks for stopping by my blog. Glad it lead you down the track to your family. :)

May 4, 2008 at 7:03 PM

Robin said…

A such a lovely day, are we going back en masse to celebrate your anniversary? (and you forgot to mention that the food is fab-u-lous!)

May 4, 2008 at 7:28 PM

annechovie said…

Beautiful place! Love your wedding picture also....

May 4, 2008 at 8:49 PM

Anonymous said…

Hi Marie Louise and thanks so much for commenting on my photos. It's a little bit complicated how I create them but not too much. It basically involves flippling them around in photoshop. Anyway, thanks again and best of luck! And that 212 degree nonsense is some serious bs! Who thinks up that foolishness. :)

May 4, 2008 at 8:52 PM

Mrs.French said…

I love stories like this...makes me feel like anything is possible. What a truly romantic place to get married.

May 4, 2008 at 9:28 PM

My lovely cottage said…

What a beautiful place!! and like mrs. french said, a very romantic place to marry indeed. It is so much fun to find people with the same intrest from all over the world through our blogs.
take care. yvonne

May 4, 2008 at 10:26 PM

Ginene said…

Wow that is beautiful and congratulations on your marriage! To answer your question it took me almost 2 years but what you made in 2 weeks beat what I made my first few months. LOL!

May 5, 2008 at 3:02 AM

Lydee said…

Mmmm...what a lovely place!

May 5, 2008 at 3:46 AM

Erin Gates said…

My parents live right near here and have taken me here twice- it's an amazing space in such a small, unassuming town. Delighted to find it mentioned!

May 5, 2008 at 8:24 AM

lotta said…

Hi Marie Louise,
What an inspiring story and wonderful place! Thank you for visiting my blog the other day I am so glad I found yours.

May 5, 2008 at 8:31 AM

Lu. Lu. said…

Marie Louise,
I want to go there, looks beautiful. I wish there were more places like this... what a good place for a wedding.
Ps. that cupcake looks yummy.
-Lucie

May 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Brooke Ahana Bailey said…

I'm just loving the treats! Thanks for the comment on my blog - good luck with your tagging....I've gotten no response from when I passed it on darn it!

May 5, 2008 at 1:02 PM

Jan said…

Marie, that is a slice of heaven. Thanks so much for sharing that inspiring story. I love when people
follow their dreams and go through a change and improve their lives for the better. Oh it makes me want to do that sometimes. Just lovely.

Jan

May 5, 2008 at 3:32 PM

Marie Louise said…

Robin - yes we must go back for the first anniversary! And what is the first? Paper? I'm going to be ancient before I work my way up to anything good!

May 5, 2008 at 6:33 PM

M said…

Gorgeous!! Love your banner :)

May 5, 2008 at 9:55 PM

Maryam in Marrakesh said…

What a gorgeous photo of the two of you! And that table is swoon-worthy

May 6, 2008 at 1:30 AM

littlebyrd said…

It is stunning! What a beautiful place for a wedding.I love the last photo of the cake. Congratulations on your marriage of almost 1 year!

May 6, 2008 at 8:43 AM

Marie Louise said…

Thanks for writing everyone. It was a wonderful place for a wedding. We did it on a Sunday afternoon after their weekly brunch and had the place to ourselves.
The cupcake was carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the chocolate lollipops in the background where made of cheese cake. Heaven!

May 6, 2008 at 7:54 PM

Janelle said…

Oh, what a beautiful place. I want to come and eat off those tables.

Thanks for the comment on my blog!! I love visitors and I will be back here for a visit.

May 6, 2008 at 8:53 PM

acaligurl said…

wonderful post. very nice photo of you!& i like the cupcake!!

May 6, 2008 at 9:53 PM

Alkemie said…

Marie Louise - the restaurant looks absolutely wonderful! It looks like the perfect place to get married. What a change in career! Looks like they really know what they're doing!

May 6, 2008 at 10:33 PM

/// said…

What a beautiful post! I looooooooove your blog!! :)

May 6, 2008 at 10:55 PM

StaroftheEast said…

I always love it when old buildings, farms etc get renovated to be such pretty places! Great post, thank you for sharing!

May 7, 2008 at 2:30 AM