WOW!!! I love your pictures. I have always wanted to do something like that in my yard; got as far as planting 2 climbers against my unsightly garage but did not have the foresight to add an arbor and a bench which, judging from yours, would have been gorgeous!!! Oh well, maybe next year. Thanks so much for sharing. I am using the second picture as my screen saver so I can enjoy it on there even if I can't enjoy it in person. Happy Gardening!

Wonder-full, magical photos! It's nice what a little water will do. Even desert plants need rain once in a while. But yes Omar, I worried about my succulents getting too much water, but so far all seems well. They are planted in a well draining mixture. I learned that much. This made me laugh: "I got my husband to get on his knees to smell it. I am so mean. He looked at the Stapeliad and the flies circling and asked me if he had to smell this one too." Sounds like something I would do. What am I saying? I have done it! It's not mean -- just a fun tease :-)

I'm going to have to disagree with FT here. The all-ultrex Integrity offers no benefit whatsoever over a quality vinyl unit like the Sunrise. The Sunrise will have significantly better thermal and structural ratings, besting it in pretty much every objective area. Subjectively, most folks find it more appealing as well (I don't think that I've EVER heard anyone call the all-ultrex Integrity a good looking window).... and this is coming from someone that sells Marvin and Integrity, but not Sunrise. The wood/ultrex Integrity is a great option for people that want a window interior. If you don't, it is hard to beat quality vinyl, or even thermally broken aluminum in your neck of the woods.

Long term cost? I think Ultra was referring to the price delta between thermally broken and clad wood. If you are going to look at a premium clad wood window, they cost a pretty penny and skimping on manufacturer and construction on those type can be a costly mistake down the road. Where in Texas are you located? You can't deal with a better firm if you are in Houston or Dallas than Ultra.