At least the house didn't burn down

Have you ever used a crockpot? My first early birthday present (well, besides the Cat Fancy, which, really, how can you beat?) was a crockpot. N and I were pretty excited about the thing, running out Sunday morning (okay, afternoon) to buy ingredients for a brisket (hi, have I mentioned we're Jewish?), which turned out fantastic beyond our expectations. So of course I spent all day online reading crockpot recipe sites (I mean working). I picked what had to be the easiest one out there: whole chicken, bottle of barbecue sauce, set on low while you go to work. I happily got up a few minutes early today, dropped the chicken into the pot, covered it with the sauce, flipped the switch, and went on my merry way to work (where I spent only half the day looking for more recipes).

I just got home, and well, it looks...good? (You tell me.) I poked it with a fork and the meat just fell off, which is a good sign, but it fell off into this pool of oil, which I assume is the remains of what used to be chicken skin. That's kind of gross. The tiny piece I tasted was alright, but a little bland and, well, oily (and oddly dry at the same time). The top pieces of chicken are looking a little burny, and come to think of it, the whole house smells a little burny. I think the problem here is that I'm away from the house too long, what with that horrid commute and all, and chickens just aren't supposed to be in there all day, especially with the skin still attached. Next time I'm going boneless. Oh yes, there will be a next time! (But first we've gotta cook up that second brisket we bought on Sunday. I told you we were excited!)