I just finished watching “Julie and Julia”. I am not a cook.  I find absolutely no joy in cooking and the only reason I have the above photographed book is because my mother-in-law gave it to me.  I seriously don’t think she ever had hope that I would use it and I never have except for this post.  But honestly, in watching this movie I figured out way more than how to master the art of french cooking.  I was surprised to learn how old Julia Child was when she learned her craft and began her cooking career and sympathetic to Julie who took on the endeavor of cooking all of Julia’s recipes (524 I believe) in 365 days in order to save herself. She needed a project, as did Julia when she started cooking, with a definite beginning and an end.  Funny, because when I started the little shop that could, that is exactly how I felt. Unfortunately for my family, who could have benefitted from 524 home-cooked meals, I chose cards, stationery and office supplies as the object of my passion.  People ask me all the time why I opened the shop. Up until now I have always answered “because I love paper”. True, I do.  But as with Julia and Julie who loved cooking, it was way more than just the food. It had to do with having a dream, setting a goal and carrying it through to the finish.  I had a dream to open a shop.  I set a goal and on October 13 it became a reality.  Yes, I did it but I am far from finished.  I love this little shop.  I love the people I have met (customers, artists, reps, vendors). I love the goodies that fill the shelves and I love helping people  find just the right “whatever” it is they are looking for.  I love the person I have become and that’s a woman old and wise enough to have three grown (or almost grown) children but young and passionate enough to have the bright and promising new career of a shopgirl. That’s joy….