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!
Laurel says
An email telling me that a new blog from Katrina brings me happiness. It forces me to slow the speed of life down in order to breath in new awareness, insight, and inspiration so that I can begin again with new appreciation of what I already have.
Owning a book you recommend would be great! I need to read the Happiness Project or Happiness at Home!
Deanna Nihill says
I’m happier at home when I take time to stop and kiss and snuggle my dog. He seems to wait for these small acts of love and when I take the time throughout the day to share some warmth with him, I feel happier!
Jeanne says
Sometimes I struggle with trying to figure out what really makes me happy, but for some reason I am resilient and always stay positive and always look forward. I will say that getting enough sleep, try to eat right and having a pet (my German Shepherd) helps! Studies show that people with pets live happier, healthier lives. She’s always happy to see me! 🙂
I’m also a believer in “happiness is wanting what you have” and this blog definitely opens our eyes to that!! I heart RR!
Julie says
My happiness at home includes the subject of this blog…BOOKS, BOOKS, and more BOOKS! I’m surrounded by them! And I actually had this new one in my hands yesterday while shopping and thought to myself that I needed to wait to make another book purchase. Maybe not…
Karen says
I’d love a copy – thanks so much!
Mary says
Oh for once I don’t feel behind..I’m a kisser! 🙂 It definitely helps my happiness!
Julie says
Golly, I’m going to say that honestly being *validated* on your blog, that what we have IS enough, has made me happier.
Mrs. Pleasant says
Don’t worry…..be happy! Love the life you’re given and be grateful 🙂
Donna says
Taking photos. It forces you to slow down and just observe.
hmbalison says
Count me in!
I’m happier at home when I reduce my nagging.