gb - the garden with the clematis arch had nothing to do with the church - it's a mile or two away in suburbia while the church is in the center of town on the main street, closely surrounded by businesses. The garden arbour just reminded me of the church ones so we stopped on the way home to take some pictures of the church arbour. (Actually, I never even realized there was a garden in there! You can see the arbour from the street but the garden isn't visible. Until I saw the pictures Randy took, I had never seen it - now I need to go take a look myself! The local Horticultural Society has its meetings in the church hall. I'm not sure if they had anything to do with having the arbour built or not.) We spoke to the owner of the clematis arch when we were in the garden - that's how I knew the color etc. She said she lost the tag so didn't know the name but did know it was a type that you weren't supposed to prune hard. I don't know if it'll help any but the leaves looked like this: Kathy - I've heard so many scary bamboo stories, I would dare plant it even in a pot! I'd hate to be the neighbours of the garden with that huge bamboo - I'm sure they'll eventually have problems...

Not very unique. It's machine-made industrial glass used to keep people from looking out or in while letting a lot of light through. Those panes, or patterned colored panes were often used as placeholders for planned stained glass windows. The congregation would periodically hold fundraisers and buy a pane of leaded glass, or if they got lucky someone would donate a window. And the smaller churches usually didn't get many stained glass windows.

Thanks for the comments, with so much work that went into it, I have to pinch myself to remind me it's for real. Lindy, you were sooo close, well, next time! The back deck has the ocean view, but the main view is out the front wrap around deck, living room, media room and breakfast nook. There are houses building up out the kitchen window, hence the back deck garden and a large tree planted in the center of the back yard, right now we have views of a park and pt loma. (that is the original garage deck, we didn't tear it down, I only added the wrought iron railing on one side of it), that deck also connects on the other side with our MBdrm. My DH wants to put a Jacuzzi up there, I had to remind him, no more $$. It's a hard house to describe and photograph. When I get off my business trip, I'll try and clear up a few of these pictures. Thanks again for all the nice comments, this site has been my inspiration (People ask me where I came up with this, or that and how did I know that?....I just smile and say, the Garden Web :) ) V

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