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!
Amanda says
‘m happier at home because I am again appreciating all the moments I know won’t last forever. I am seeing my children and husband through new eyes and remembering to enjoy myself, my family and my life, NOW.
Oh, and I’d love to win Gretchen Rubin’s book!
Joni Peth says
I have increased my happiness at home by SIMPLIFYING everything. Less clutter, few decisions on what to buy (nothing… unless it replaces something worn out or broken) and hiring someone to do what I don’t have time for! It really works for me.
Kim Campbell says
I would love a copy. I adore her book The Happiness Project. It is a great read1
Jimmy says
We boosted our happiness by downsizing our apartment right before having our second child. Living in closer quarters with just the essentials helps us continue to grow as a love-focused family.
margaret donohue says
I love to look outside early in the morning and see the flowers I have planted. I love to see the deer in the field eating. I moved back into the house I grew up in 3 yrs ago in the country. At first it was hard because I miss my family, but now it is comforting. I am happiest here, with my cat and dog (she was my brother’s dog, but when he died suddenly I made sure she stayed with me). I am happy here in the house I grew up in…so many memories, some happy, some sad.
Jody B. says
I’m happiest at the home in my mind — my childhood home on 47th Avenue in Gary, Indiana. It was build by my grandfather in 1954. My parents bought the house from him in 1961. We lived there until 1975. I remember it so vividly! It had the pine panel in the basement with the shuffleboard tile. And a big fireplace with a bar for entertaining across from the fireplace. My grandparents and parents entertained a lot! I remember the sights and sounds of the gatherings – the people laughing and drinking Hamms or Schlitz beer while Kenny Ball, Louie Armstrong, or Nat King Cole were playing on the stereo.
One of the upstairs bathrooms had the Mamie pink tile with the black bullnose trim. The kitchen had yellow tile with the black trim. It also had wooden cabinets with the metal trim along the counter!
I remember our Christmas tree every year had the vintage 50s ornaments, the giant colorful bulbs, and the silver tinsel every year!
I don’t live in the past, but I find comfort in my memories. That’s why I love this website. Many times things I see things on the site that take me back to my childhood when things were simpler and the pressures of work and life in general weren’t there.
I love my home now. I just redid my kitchen in the 50s style. My next project is to change my bathroom to the kind of pink tile that would make Pam proud!
Good luck to all of you on this contest. Happy memories! 🙂
pam kueber says
🙂
tammyCA says
oh, wow I just “happened” upon this book last Sat. at the bookstore when I was walking by to the kid’s section. I picked it up and briefly read what the cover said and thought to myself that I needed to check this book out.
I like the idea of being happy in the place you have…mine is far from ideal & well, I live in the “armpit” of SoCal, but I feel a sense of responsibility to this little vintage house & want to keep it’s integrity. Ha, I “dream” of everybody wanting to do the same…that would be a miracle around here.
Betsy says
Count me in!
Nancy says
Count me in! would love a copy of the book!
I am happier when I take time to relax and play with my 2 dogs.
Reena says
Count me in and thank you.