Can anyone tell me what this plant is and does it come back every year

it may be what is generally referred to as a "cast iron" plant for indoors during the winter...has it bloomed? Can you post a follow up picture?

not sure what it is but looks like it could be a type of succulent possibly? you don't say where you live but it looks like the kind of plant that should be indoors all winter, then put it back out in summer again or when it warms up enough at night. If you're in a mild area where it doesn't ever freeze it may be able to withstand the weather. To me it really looks like a type of houseplant though. A few more pics might help, like a side shot of it? Hard to say really, but what's the stuff between the blades there? flowers? It really does look to be in the succulent family and if so Id bring it in for the winter and water lightly. Put it back out next year when it warms up. I take most of my house plants out to the patio all summer and bring them in as soon as it starts to get colder than 50 at night. it really makes them healthy and they get so much greener.

It appears to be Moses in the cradle.It is a houseplant the must come inside before winter

I believe its a type of Bromeliad genus. It is Neoregelia.

I call this Moses in a cradle. It is a succulent.

so what are the little "buds/blooms...whatever" in the axils?

I read that this is a tropical plant so it would probably only survive inside but your local county extension agent or a local nurseryman.

Google oyster plant And you will find out all the information you need to know. I live in Southwest Florida and they grow everywhere and in anything soil, sand, and even gravel LOL. They are a good ground covering or mounding plant depending on the one you have there are many species of it. It looks like you have one of the larger ones with the big pods those will drop and you will get babies. I will attach pictures for you I have them in the ground and in pots and have the torf oyster and then a larger one. They do have a really big one that grows like three foot tall those are cool I want one of those that's my next plant. We get it down to low 30s and our winter and they last just fine I don't know how cold it is where you are but you might have to bring it in you might not. Again just Google oyster plant and you can find out all kinds of info. Hope that helps have a great day!

Bromeliad.... http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4080535/purple-and-green-bromeliad

I am not sure, but I think it is ca)led purple heart-it grows outside in Florida and if left out and if we don't have to hard a winter it will come back in KY. It sometimes gets small purple flowers in the summer.

Hello, Im not sure because your picture is to close up. Please look up yucca plant and see if it resembles one of them. They are a plant that comes back year after year. Very easy to maintain. (Hope i was of help.) good luck.

I have this as an indoor plant and believe it's called Moses in a Basket.