Probably not outside where we live, but perhaps a bit white on the inside? We have just bought some long candles (from IKEA) and I also managed to get hold of last year's big hit: the STRÅLA angel — all in white. There will be red, too, of course: the chequered bed linen in our bed and the plain red in the beds of our two sons, the bright red table cloth on the living room table, and the red cushions on the gray sofas.

Christmas is approaching and we're getting in the mood for it.

We have signed a contract today. We are about to move again — to a new house not far away from the one we currently live in, but the major difference is that this house is not for sale and we will be able to stay there until both boys have finished their current schools. This will hopefully bring some peace and quiet.

The new house is slightly smaller, but hopefully this won't be a huge problem, and it was built in 2005. It is white with a blue door, has some very nice features inside, a wonderful view and a large garden. We are to move in by mid February.

A while ago we watched the Danish classic Matador for the umpteenth time, then a Danish crime series set right after WWII, Edderkoppen, which was very interesting indeed, and now we're in the middle of the wonderful British television series Downton Abbey.

We're admittedly bad at following television series on a regular basis, which usually disqualifies us from watching them as they are "supposed" to be watched, and, as a result, dvd boxes have become our favourite way of watching. This also means that we might watch one episode per day (or more) if we want to and have the time, which, from our point of view, is great. The period we watch one particular television series is condensed. Subsequently, T. and I easily remember the entire plot, analyse the characters and what is happening and have long conversations about the actors' performances, the costumes, the environments, the political or social context, the believability of the plot and other important issues. It does indeed feel luxurious.

Currently we have no Christmas decorations up, but we're of course planning to put them up soon. This will no doubt be both the first and the last Christmas we spend in the house in which we currently live, which means that house-specific additions will not be an option. This aside, I do enjoy the colour red at the moment and decided to go on a visual spree.

The christmas tree ornament can be found at Etsy, Christmas Tea at Kusmi, the glasses from Voya can be found at Royal Design, the bed linen from Gripsholm can be found at Ellos, and the candleholder can be found at Höganäs Keramik.

I've just realised that Christmas is not that far away anymore and today has been filled with various preparations and pure logistics. As it is in most families, there is a whole jigsaw puzzle to be addressed each Christmas. Various family constellations and travels...

For once, we're actually going to spend Christmas Eve at home (this year with my parents, who will have arrived a few days earlier). The day after we'll be travelling to T.'s parents for the traditional Christmas dinner together with his relatives. A few days later the boys will go by train to visit their father and New Year's Eve will hopefully be spent in the company of T.'s sister and brother-in-law. Tickets have been booked and plans have been made. All in all it feels really good.

Christmas gift lists are also on the agenda as are the Christmas decorations. It will soon be time to bring out the beautiful nativity scene from Village and perhaps also a few candle holders. These traditional red ones can also be found at Village.

I have read novels by Salman Rushdie for many years, and I have also read about him in various newspapers. Media has often portrayed him as a controversial figure, but there has also been a lot of support for his stance — all of it depending on the newspaper in question, but perhaps also the time.

My own image of this famous author has always been coloured by my reaction to the first novel of his that I read, Midnight's Children. I loved it. The humour and wit found in most of his novels come in abundance in this one, and I simply couldn't believe its author to be even remotely like the image his enemies painted of him.

His memoire, Joseph Anton, tells the story of the (Sal)man behind the "Rushdie affair" and his account of the years living with the fatwa from February 14th, 1989, seems honest, candid, and nuanced. The issue of artistic freedom and the role of religion is placed at the forefront, as it is in so many of his novels. All in all it's a truly wonderful read.