I thought I’d collect some early-winter images, but an out-of-season iris decided to redefine early winter for me. The iris loves that Dunkin Donuts brick wall so much it decided to bloom. Then the temperatures went down into the teens.
The USS Concord (1923-1947) had a bell that the town acquired and put on display in a public ceremony shortly after Veterans Day this year. I enjoyed watching the evolution of the pocket park that hosts the bell and was amazed by what a deep hole had to be dug for the pedestal support.
The unusual “Lost & Found for the People” is beside the path that runs down the middle of Blackstone Boulevard in Providence. (I hope that “the people” will find what they lost soon.)
The next picture is of the daily dog-walker gathering at Emerson Field, where I was delighted by a message nestled in the roots of a tree: “Just do right.”
The veggie colors spoke to me of Christmas.
The gingerbread house competition is at the Colonial Inn and will be up until January 1. The last gingerbread house is in the library. It all makes a person want to try her hand at some decorative baking.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Really like the gingerbread houses!
Do you make any yourself?
For years the children would help me decorate the houses which I would put together,then they grew up… now this year I have grand children that are old enough to help me. I’m so looking forward to that!!
Same here!
An iris?? In December?? Wow–that’s a resilient flower! I love the gingerbread houses although I’ve never made one–can’t imagine!
They sell simpler gingerbread kits at the market. Someday I’ll try one with a grandchild or two.
Love the iris!!! I wonder if being planted near a brick wall makes it warmer and thus tricked it into thinking spring had already arrived….
That’s what I thought, too. Since the photo was taken, though, not even a brick wall could keep it warm.