I have owned a crème brûlée torch since before we owned a couch. Apparently, our small income didn’t stop me from making what I still believe is one of the best desserts on the planet.

I wanted this dessert to kick off my celebration of Valentine’s Day. Though I don’t have anyone to share Valentine’s Day with in that way . . . I can’t ignore any holiday that is celebrated with pink frosted baked goods, and candy, and lace, and hearts. It’s so girly. I love it.

Besides, I love my kids more than anything else in the world, and so we will be celebrating the holiday together.

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I don’t know why we’ve never done this before on sophistimom—it seems so obvious. Of course we need a book club!!

Our first book for the club will be Matched by the lovely Ally Condie.

Here’s what it’s about:

Cassia lives in a world where nearly everything is decided for her: what she eats, how she sleeps, where she works. She is even told whom she is to marry.

At her matching banquet, she sees the face of her best friend, and everything seems perfect. A peaceful life stretches out before her.

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