Variety

In Focus: Silent Night

December 6, 2019 at 1:00PM
Christmas morning at our cabin! I walked out on the lake and turned back to take this picture. My husband, Daryl, is looking out the patio doors, coffee cup in hand. Our dog, Sadie, is waiting for me at the bottom of the steps. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful and peaceful morning! Shirley A. Saathoff, Alexandria, MN
Shirley A. Saathoff of Alexandria, Minn., took this from the lake on Christmas morning. “Couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and peaceful morning,” she said. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sometimes winter gives us moments that are so serene that we want to savor them as long as we can — and then tuck them away for those times when the season's hectic pace gets the best of us. Dozens of readers responded to our request to capture "silent nights." Not all of the photos were taken at night, but all of them convey the essence of what we were looking for: peace.


From Josette Koets, Finlayson, MN
A river runs through this snowy landscape by Josette Koets of Finlayson, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
We always decorate this one tree in our yard, and leave the lights on until the snow stops falling for the winter. It provides a touch of beauty and calm until we can see the water of Lake Minnetonka again. Donna Swedin, Orono MN
Donna Swedin of Orono decorates one tree in the yard for a touch of beauty and calm until they can see the water of Lake Minnetonka again. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This picture was taken at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul last winter. The silence before a Wild game let out. Jenny Nguyen, Brooklyn Park, MN
Jenny Nguyen of Brooklyn Park captured a moment of silence in Rice Park in St. Paul — before the Wild game got out. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Tamie Steffen Hornstein, Canby, Minn.
Tamie Steffen Hornstein of Canby, Minn., endured the snow for this picturesque find. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Marta Spencer Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
The tree stands alone in this photo by Marta Spencer of Brooklyn Park. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Winter at Witch's Hat Tower, Minneapolis Mick Richards Burnsville
Frequent In Focus contributor Mick Richards of Burnsville was at Witch’s Hat Tower at Minneapolis’ Prospect Park on a snowy day. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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