I splurged a bit over the holidays. It's been years since I had a new comforter for my bed. I'm partial to Asian, Celtic and Gothic decor, so I went ahead and ordered an Asian-themed bedspread, which also came with pillowcases, throw pillows and two sets of sheets (one black, one red; both pin-striped).

I'm quite happy with the results (click on image to view larger size in a new window):

The irony of having a new comforter is that I rarely sleep in my own bed. Rainee has taken it over, especially at night, so I typically fall asleep on the couch.

I also bought a deck of symmetrical playing cards from Gael Song. The product description is as follows: "Celtic history and mythology inspire the images on the deck. Each card displays unique artwork of Celtic symbolism, while face cards feature kings and heroes of Celtic lore. Art by James Acken."

The holidays for me were quiet and without drama, which is how I like it. I spent New Years Eve alternating between the Twilight Zone marathon on Sy-Fy, playing Australian Patience, and reading.

My current book stack includes:

To be honest, I'm relieved the holidays are over. I'm anxious to get back to a semblance of normalcy, especially in regards to my work.

Happy New Year!