Cori and Wendy, you had me in tears. I absolutely love this and what a blessing you both are. Wish I had seen this over Christmas, but alas, we were traveling in an old van to a small, humble Christmas tree farming town, in Oregon, to spend it with family. Which is, indeed, everything under the heavens. God, His family, our family, and love in it's simplest form. I love material too, textiles, etc., and completely related to the flannel pajamas, the warmth in the cold of days and war. Doesn't seem to end. But God continues to give us the ability to feel His wonder in beautiful, not so random ways. Thank you for this.
Oh geez — no fun. John drove us to Oregon and got out of the van totally sick. Lasted well over a week :( But thank God the rest of us, and my near 90 year old mama (who had just taken a bad fall) didn’t catch it. Very icky cold.
And I absolutely loved that zine piece! You set my head in a good direction. I related to it very much. Thank you again. ox
Deborah, more blessings back!! Cori and I had our second yearly Christmas collaboration and this one was especially profound for me. The photo of the USA soldiers sitting around a campfire in the cold and dark of the battle in Ardenne Forest in December 1944…was so poignant and knowing Belgian citizens likely lived not that far away…putting little ones to bed…made me cry, myself. Cori Bren is truly amazing, a bright and sparkling light, she lightens my heart many times, with laughter that I need. No worries on your timing in reading any of my pieces, your thoughts and loving feedback are always cherished, as I also cherish your work! Wendy
Deborah, the best writers are ones with deep feelings and how they express them to inspire and encourage others. You have it in spades…Cori has it and I do , as well. Authentic, real, flawed and human, along the path to Eternity! Cori is a real gem and so are you!
Micaela Fox, thank you! This was a collaboration between Cori Bren of Bren's Buzz and myself, our second Christmas-themed collaboration. We enjoy doing this once a year, with different points of view and attempting to combine them! I am glad you enjoyed it and thank you for reazding and commenting! Blessings to you in 2026! Wendy
Thank you, Micaela. I’ve found collaborations to be very helpful in growing community across many authors and genres. Wendy and I really enjoy our annual holiday collaboration.
This is lovely, Cori. I can't imagine such courage, but most soldiers had no choice, especially in Europe. And I love that thick flannel, too. Hard to find these days. I love the idea of sheets, but I'd be too hot!
Francesca, that photo of the soldiers in WW2 during the battle of the bulge was from a photo I found several years ago in a newspaper. I saved it all these years, as it spoke so eloquently to me. Cori and I have a yearly collaboration each Christmas and this year, Cori asked me to focus on winter sleepwear, which for me, means flannel! I envisioned families in Belgium, near the fierce battles, and putting little ones to bed in their flannel pajamas, wondering about the chaos of the war so near to them. Cori wrote the part about she and her siblings in their Christmas flannel P. J.'s I love our collaborations, they are magical. Cori is one of the few people who can make me laugh, as I am serious by core nature. Blessings to you and yours, Francesca and thank you for your wonderful comment. Wendy
Thank you Joan! Wendy and I are so happy you liked it! I’m one of 7 in reality. One premie didn’t make it. There were 6 girls, including our list Amy Jo, and one boy. My poor brother has been mothered by 5 of us since mom died before he was 2 years old.
No but I’m working on a children’s book about dragons that includes inputs from 7 other Substack authors, artists, and graphic designers. I will make a formal post on early January about this labor of love and the upcoming release. It will be paperback.
That’s really cool! I have one book. I’m also now syndicated with the Mississippi Press Association—so far my column is being sent to eight newspapers and two online publications. I just found out about five of them today. Pretty excited.
IKR? I don’t wear flannel to bed or use flannel sheets - too hot - but the softness and weight of my duvet with that flannel is like being tucked in by my mom.
Blessings, Neural Foundry! Cori and I have a great time with collaborations…unexpected stuff comes pouring through, the sheer magic of writing. I had that photo of the WW2 USA 82nd Airborne troops for a long time and wondered why I kept it. It was so compelling…that one young man with the big grin. I think on that…and the simple grounding things of daily life. Blessings to you, Neural Foundry, thank you for your wonderful comments! Wendy
Cori and Wendy, you had me in tears. I absolutely love this and what a blessing you both are. Wish I had seen this over Christmas, but alas, we were traveling in an old van to a small, humble Christmas tree farming town, in Oregon, to spend it with family. Which is, indeed, everything under the heavens. God, His family, our family, and love in it's simplest form. I love material too, textiles, etc., and completely related to the flannel pajamas, the warmth in the cold of days and war. Doesn't seem to end. But God continues to give us the ability to feel His wonder in beautiful, not so random ways. Thank you for this.
Everyone was hither and yon this Christmas and half of us caught the flu. Never a need to apologize I’m so happy it struck a chord with you.
Oh geez — no fun. John drove us to Oregon and got out of the van totally sick. Lasted well over a week :( But thank God the rest of us, and my near 90 year old mama (who had just taken a bad fall) didn’t catch it. Very icky cold.
And I absolutely loved that zine piece! You set my head in a good direction. I related to it very much. Thank you again. ox
Always, glad we can inspire one another!!
Deborah, more blessings back!! Cori and I had our second yearly Christmas collaboration and this one was especially profound for me. The photo of the USA soldiers sitting around a campfire in the cold and dark of the battle in Ardenne Forest in December 1944…was so poignant and knowing Belgian citizens likely lived not that far away…putting little ones to bed…made me cry, myself. Cori Bren is truly amazing, a bright and sparkling light, she lightens my heart many times, with laughter that I need. No worries on your timing in reading any of my pieces, your thoughts and loving feedback are always cherished, as I also cherish your work! Wendy
Wendy, what an image you painted. And I think of it now. All the deep contrasts of life and the simple comforts.
Cori is such a nice person. I loved our collab too. They are fun to do. This was a beautiful one. Thank you for it. oxox
Deborah, the best writers are ones with deep feelings and how they express them to inspire and encourage others. You have it in spades…Cori has it and I do , as well. Authentic, real, flawed and human, along the path to Eternity! Cori is a real gem and so are you!
You are both gems. I hope we get to meet someday.
Takes one to know one…Deb, and you as well, a shining precious stone…
Wendy, you are cool! I enjoyed this!
Micaela Fox, thank you! This was a collaboration between Cori Bren of Bren's Buzz and myself, our second Christmas-themed collaboration. We enjoy doing this once a year, with different points of view and attempting to combine them! I am glad you enjoyed it and thank you for reazding and commenting! Blessings to you in 2026! Wendy
Love this! More collaboration! Blessings to you in 2026 as well!
Thank you, Micaela. I’ve found collaborations to be very helpful in growing community across many authors and genres. Wendy and I really enjoy our annual holiday collaboration.
This is lovely, Cori. I can't imagine such courage, but most soldiers had no choice, especially in Europe. And I love that thick flannel, too. Hard to find these days. I love the idea of sheets, but I'd be too hot!
Francesca, that photo of the soldiers in WW2 during the battle of the bulge was from a photo I found several years ago in a newspaper. I saved it all these years, as it spoke so eloquently to me. Cori and I have a yearly collaboration each Christmas and this year, Cori asked me to focus on winter sleepwear, which for me, means flannel! I envisioned families in Belgium, near the fierce battles, and putting little ones to bed in their flannel pajamas, wondering about the chaos of the war so near to them. Cori wrote the part about she and her siblings in their Christmas flannel P. J.'s I love our collaborations, they are magical. Cori is one of the few people who can make me laugh, as I am serious by core nature. Blessings to you and yours, Francesca and thank you for your wonderful comment. Wendy
I def can’t stand the sheets way too hot! But everything else I love. They even sell flannel lined jeans.
One correction. The pajamas we're wearing in this pic we're made by one of our mother's posse, our Aunt Judy🪽🙏🫶😊💕
Even better!!🙏⚡️
A wonderful.collaboration! Cori, were you a family of five girls?
Thank you Joan! Wendy and I are so happy you liked it! I’m one of 7 in reality. One premie didn’t make it. There were 6 girls, including our list Amy Jo, and one boy. My poor brother has been mothered by 5 of us since mom died before he was 2 years old.
I bet all five of you carried him around forever. When did he learn to walk?
Back then it was early due to gen x baby expectations so around 1 year old
I enjoyed this!!
Are you published elsewhere?
No but I’m working on a children’s book about dragons that includes inputs from 7 other Substack authors, artists, and graphic designers. I will make a formal post on early January about this labor of love and the upcoming release. It will be paperback.
That’s really cool! I have one book. I’m also now syndicated with the Mississippi Press Association—so far my column is being sent to eight newspapers and two online publications. I just found out about five of them today. Pretty excited.
That’s amazing! Congratulations! It’s a wonderful gift to see your work in print. What is your column about?
It’s the same thing I share to Substack every week.
I’ve not been reading much at all. I subscribe to 258 and read a rotation of approx 20-30 of them with some monthly regularity
Thank you. When Wendy and I wrote together it’s always a pleasure for us so we hope our audience loves it too.
I just bought new oversized flannel last week, which arrived in the post today. I was trying it on as i listened to this article. 🥰
Flannel is THE comfort fabric!!!
IKR? I don’t wear flannel to bed or use flannel sheets - too hot - but the softness and weight of my duvet with that flannel is like being tucked in by my mom.
Blessings, Neural Foundry! Cori and I have a great time with collaborations…unexpected stuff comes pouring through, the sheer magic of writing. I had that photo of the WW2 USA 82nd Airborne troops for a long time and wondered why I kept it. It was so compelling…that one young man with the big grin. I think on that…and the simple grounding things of daily life. Blessings to you, Neural Foundry, thank you for your wonderful comments! Wendy
Thank you for your beautiful words. We love writing together especially this time of year. Bless you.