First, let me apologize for the quality of some of these scans; the drawings I've done in pencil just don't scan very well. I've boosted the contrast a bit, but they still don't look as clear as they do in real life. Still, you'll get the overall idea.
From
For some reason, I didn't remember the word "habitat" in this, and I focused less on plants, and more on capturing something that seemed typically "Pennsylvanian." I might do this one again and do JUST a natural setting, but for now, here's the one I drew with this prompt in mind. I drew this at Morris Arboretum, trying to capture the way this building looked as framed by the trees (I ran out of steam before I drew all the trees, though). :D I think this looks pretty craptastic right now, but I might work on it a bit more. I think there's potential here for something good, if I put in a bit more effort.

ETA: I forgot I also took photos of the scene I was sketching. Here is one of them:

Next, from
Here is number 1. The view from our window is really not very appealing - a huge, overgrown parking lot with an abandoned warehouse (or manufacturing facility?) behind it. There are train tracks, though, and the trains go by twice and hour throughout most of the day. I think the hardest thing about this for me was trying to get the perspective "right" (and I wasn't particularly successful).

Finally, I've drawn a few things in response to the prompt given me by
First, I'll share a drawing I did back in July, when Connor and I were playing around with drawing dragons. This is a completely original attempt, although not a particularly satisfying one. (Also, sorry about the image quality; I had to scan it in sections):

Fast-forward to yesterday. In response to this prompt, I chose some artwork from the gorgeous "Dragonology" book (these books contain some of my all-time favorite dragon illustrations). Here's the original I chose:

First, I copied it in pencil:

Then, again, using markers:

Finally, I did a second version in markers, but this time I tried to sketch more quickly, not trying to stay as faithful to the original. I was trying to do something more abstract, although what I had in mind before I started was not the way this turned out. It's all right, though, and I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the markers:

Finally, I drew an entirely new dragon, completely out of my head. I like the way the head turned out, although I need some anatomy lessons, I think, when it comes to drawing the body. :D

I intend to keep working on dragons, until I've come up with something that I really love. Oh! And I did try the "drawing without looking at the paper exercise" you suggested. It was fun, although Connor was unable to do it without peeking. D: I'll post about that next time I write about the work C and I are doing with the "Drawing With Children" book.
Thanks everyone, for the prompts - I'm going to keep working on them, and will post more soon. :)