Thomas Jefferson would approve of Laura Dowling’s appointment as the new White House florist. He might engage in a bit of finger wagging when Dowling jumped the gun, sharing her good news on Facebook with 64 friends which included the D.C. network.

The White House scrambled to say “yes indeed, Laura Dowling began quietly working at the mansion last week. Apparently, the Parisian trained Alexandria florist was the front-runner for the prestigious position, after trying out with two other designers. 

Paris will not be the focus of Dowling’s first big gig. Rather, food, flowers and guest list will be India-inspired for a state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Nov. 24. On a technicality, the event will be called a “state dinner”, even though the largely-symbolic title of president of India belongs to Pratibha Devisingh Patil.