Who is Mrs. Blandings?

If you are a Carey Grant fan, you have watched "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" several times by now.  If you haven't watched it but you do enjoy shows on construction and home decor, mixed with comedy and the handsome Carey Grant and lovely Mryna Loy,  then you need to rent this one.  Of course, Mrs. Blandings would be his wife in the movie.  Here's an all time classic clip from the movie:


The "other" Mrs. Blandings is a blog (find it here)  I've followed for about 3 years.  The writer lives in Kansas City, and while I enjoy her updates on the city,  I also feel like we would be friends if she lived in my neck of the woods (Joplin).  Maybe it's also the fact she has sons, loves the world of design and decor (but also doesn't have a degree related to the fact), and seems to have a good sense of humor about all of it.  

This past Friday, Pam and I attended "Lunch with Mrs. Blandings" in KC at the wonderful Webster House (which is one of those places in Kansas City you really need to visit).  The lunch was wonderful, the presentation was informative and fun, and something I'd like to do again (are you listening, Patricia?).  And by the way, her real name is Patricia Shackelford:

 I wish this was a picture with the three of us (Patricia, Pam and Amber), but being the popular person she is, several people were ahead of us in line, so we went on our way.  Maybe next time!  Here's the information about the lunch and seminar from the Webster House website:

Lunch with Mrs. Blandings Kansas City's very own Mrs. Blandings, whose fresh, insightful, and ever inspiring decor musings can be read at mrsblandings.blogspot.com, is making a rare appearance at Webster House. Celebrate spring with good friends and share in the Patricia's philosophy that life is better well lived. Her seminar will offer common sense lessons in how to transform and renew your home for any and all occasions. From the Desk of Mrs. Blandings: Let's face it, you're not going to pass that Pottery Barn coffee table down to your granddaughter. Antiques have staying power for a reason. Come for lunch and let's discuss freshening up faiance, putting a bounce in your Beidemeirer and whether or not Art Deco is due for a revival. The pieces are timeless, it's your perspective that makes them granny or great. 12:00 lunch with seminar beginning at 1:00 If there is another seminar in Mrs. Blandings future, we'll let you know ahead of time.  Then we can get a group picture!