To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends. — Samuel Johnson, the Rambler, No, 68.
That’s the very first quote in Gretchen Rubin’s brand new book, Happier at Home (affiliate link) which — like its predecessor The Happiness Project — is sure to be a blockbuster. The Samuel Johnson quote immediately hit home for me, because 
golly, isn’t this blog about finding happiness in our sweet little midcentury homes… about loving the house you’re in, instead of pining after what it may lack… and about giving our houses our tender loving care — so that they can give theirs back?
Crikes, sorry to get all mushy there. But in case you haven’t guessed, I am hugely enormously, gigantically, sentimental about happiness in house and home. It is kind of… all that I think about. I also just read Gretchen Rubin’s first book The Happiness Project (affiliate link) in July. I thought that the book was hugely enormously gigantically brilliant. It was a #1 New York Times best-seller for good reason. The book is NOT self-help FLUFF. This woman is a take-no-prisoners serious, avid researcher. She wrote lauded history books about Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy before she turned to the more prosaic, yet elusive, topic of Happiness. In a nut, with The Happiness Project, she synthesized amazing amounts of research on the topic… and then… and this was the especially brilliant part: She put her findings to work in her own life, small-step-by-small-step, over a 12-month period, and chronicled her experience. The book is super easy to read, super encouraging — but at the same time, it’s deeeeeep. How often can you say that.
Now, Gretchen (I don’t think she will mind my familiarity) has followed up her first best-selling happiness book with a second one that focuses even more specifically on cultivating happiness within your home and with the creatures who may live there with you. UPDATE: Happier at Home has just hit #2 on the New York Times best-seller list, in just its FIRST week on sale. THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE!
One more happy thing: Gretchen once gave a shout out to Retro Renovation on her blog — and send several hundred new visitors our way. She like the retro. Can ya believe it. I can: Retro is Happy!
Gloria Gene says
I am happy undulating on the swing bed in my summer room, watching the dance of the gardens, with the changing seasons….knowing soon I will have to move inside to the warmth of winter, as the dance continues through the window glass…as the dance of the garden never ends…Gloria Gene
Nancy Gleason says
I’m happy just to be alive, not because I was in a life-threatening situation, or anything….I wasn’t. I’m happy to be alive so that I get to see the beauty around me in so many things….the birds at my feeders, the clouds in the sky as they change shape, the pinks and purples in a sunset. So many people (myself included, at times) are so busy with the everyday dealings in their lives that they don’t stop to notice all the little and beautiful things around them.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Happiness for me is when I remember how much my husband loved me, and how happy he would be to know I am still living in our Cozy Little House. Sorry very sentimental today. The anniversary of his death is Sunday.
Lugine says
Happiness is seeing my special needs son smile. His smile has always been a delight and now as his abilities fade due to his terminal illness the smiles are not as frequent…but when he does smile it fills my heart with happiness that can only be felt from that wonderful moment when he does smile.
Ana says
I’m happy when I come home and my two dogs come running, so happy that I’m back. I’ve been slowly updating my house and the success of small projects, like painting a room, always feels good.
Kelley says
Happiness for me is hearing my 2 year old giggle. I will do anything to see her smile or hear her laugh. Love the title “Happier at Home.” So true. Home = family to me.
Angela says
To maintain happiness, I have to create or cultivate…daily. It can range from taking ten (or much more) minutes to knit, sketch, write a poem or a blog entry, bake or cook something, work in the garden or just spread out the blanket on the floor of the living room and have a heart to heart with my hubby while rubbing the tummy of my insatiable dog.
Suzi Banks Baum says
One way that I get happy is making art with friends. I do it with my sisters when we meet for our week together in the summer, with my German family as we travel- we make postcards, handmade books and doodle on whatever paper we can find. And I schedule art dates with pals like you and take a regular class because no matter how crazy my life is, as long as I keep the valves open with warm juicy creative energy flowing through, I can handle anything. I love your site and this blog is just one other thing on a list of many that makes me happy. Happy Friday! xo S
Nicole says
I am the most happy when at home in our midcentury modern with friends and family enjoying Puget Sound. It always brings a smile to my face!
Tonie says
Amen to the joys of mid-century lifestyle!
CC in Virginia says
Yes, this is mushy but it’s the absolute truth: Happiness for me is when I get home from work and am greeted by my dog & 2 cats. Just the sight of them flopping on their backs, hoping for a belly rub, makes me smile! Silly little creatures… just so happy to have mom give them a quick scratch on the belly or behind the ears before heading into the house.