Backyard Tree Sketch

The weather has been variable!  First snow, then rain, then snow, then rain, then more snow.  Yesterday we had a Christmas party at our house for our family.  Before they came, I started this sketch while having my morning coffee.  Then it was:  stuff the turkey, get it in the oven, and prepare for the young families and kids.   It was a lot of fun.  Two cousins running around the house and going crazy over little gifts in their stockings.  Young babies being passed around for everyone to take turns holding.  Ten of us gathering around the table for turkey dinner.  After they left, we cleaned up, relaxed and unwound, and I had some quiet time to paint the rest of this sketch from memory.  It is our backyard tree - one I am very familiar with - an old friend.