Almost Burger Season

Well, that was another fast month. Still not fast enough when it comes to getting this kidney stent out, but still pretty fast.

*gets up to get coffee, comes back to laptop and takes a sip*

This month marked one of the biggest months this blog has ever seen. Views and comments were at all-time highs which makes me excited for the future of this blog after all of the work that I put in on here. I just hope the momentum continues every month after this one.

*takes a sip, tips the mug towards the screen as a thanks to all of you*

With February closing out today, this means one thing to me. It means that Spring is coming soon and spring for me means, getting my flowers prepped, garden ready, lawn cleaned up from winter debris and most importantly digging out my grill after it took the winter off.

There is nothing like that first smell of grilled food. I look like one of those cartoon characters floating through the air following the scent.

Just like when that morning brew first hits the air.

One of my first grilling choices is a burger. There is nothing like a grilled burger on a soft bun with all of the toppings. This is also why I will choose Burger King over McDonalds.

 

It's so good that Allen and Ginter included it in their Get That Bread insert. 

So I am gonna brag, I own a Burger rookie card. Maybe in a few weeks I can get my burger to sign it 😉😉😉

*takes a sip before closing up today's post*

After February ends I usually am onto the countdown 

to March 19th, my birthday. Sadly, I could care less for my birthday right now as my countdown is more focused on the 22nd where the stent will be coming out.

That to me would be the greatest gift right now. Let's hope I can get in before then anyways as I would like to enjoy my first burger painless.

Enjoy the last day of February and I pray you all come back for more Cards Over Coffee in March.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Girl Scout Cookies Post

It's a little late for a post but thought I would put a short one out there anyways.

I don't have coffee and I don't have cards, but I do have some cookies.

Some delicious Girl Scout Cookies.

*takes a bite*

There are usually only a few things I really look forward to and buy every year that are not hobby related. One of those things arrives in February and they are Girl Scout Cookies.

Sometimes they will be ordered online and other times if my wife has a friend whose daughter is selling them, we will pick up a few boxes that way. Either way, I can't live without my Samoas.

 

The crisp cookies with caramel, coconut and dark chocolate stripes hits the sweet spot every year. They are also even better with coffee.

When I set the cookie on the back of the box the girls appear to have the same reaction I do when I open up the package.

Samoas may be my favorite Girl Scout cookie, but I usually grab a couple others as well. I also enjoy Adventurefuls and Girl Scout S'Mores while my wife likes Tagalongs and Thin Mints. I used to like Tagalongs and Thin Mints to but noticed my tastes have changed just like with other food over time.

I usually try to make mine last for a while by only snacking on a couple when the mood hits and it also saves on the weight gain. The cool thing about Girl Scout Cookies is that you can always freeze them if they get close to date which extends their shelf life.

*takes another bite before finishing up today's post*

In comments today, tell me which Girl Scout Cookies you enjoy and don't tell me there isn't at least one flavor that you don't indulge on.

*Coffee Card and Girl Scout cookie enjoyer Out*

The Shoebox Delivers Part 4

With the temperatures expecting to reach 50's today, it's time for some hot cards, hot coffee and Cards Over Coffee.

*takes a sip*

Today, I dig further into the shoebox and show off some amazing football cards I found in there. But, before I continue with that, if you missed the previous parts of this post, you can check them out here:

• Part 1 of the magical Shoebox trade 
• Part 2, which you can see HERE.
• And Part 3 which is HERE.

Now onto the amazing football cards. At least they are amazing to me.

1997 Score The New Breed. These fell 1:12 packs.

Pacific Mark Brunell. If anyone remembers on this blog, I am a big Brunell fan especially his time with the Jaguars. I add cards when I can of him.

Challenge Collection was a parallel to 1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions that fell 1:7 packs. I think they look as good as the base cards. Dufex rules the day!

Falling at 1:48 packs, Bowman Best preview refractors were the previews of Bowmans Best before it's release. That isn't too hard to understand even without morning coffee.

1997 Score The Specialists fell 1:15 packs. Not sure how Jim Everett fell under this category but completely get Kordell being on that checklist. Another one of those fun 90's guys that could play multiple offensive positions.

Numbered to 2000 and randomly falling in packs of 1997 Donruss, the Press Proof parallel was a fun chase. Mike Alstott was a beast to say the least, so I enjoyed finding this one.

I can't find odds or details on this, but it's a 1997 Playoff Rookie Wave Blue Pennant. Pretty cool felt card. I always liked these.

Kerry Collins is a PC player, this card is a tough pull at 1:35 packs. Big winner here.

 

 

I don't ever remember pulling a First Day Issue parallel back in the 90's, so now I have a few of them. These fell 1:24 packs or one-per-box.

1997 Stadium Club Never Compromise were 1:12 packs in Series 2. There is a deep checklist of 40 players so I still have a ways to go on this set chase.

The 24K golds were randomly inserted into packs but honestly I don't ever see a lot of them so it makes me wonder how many are actually out there and how many still sit in packs to be opened.

One of these oddball type cards, but I thought it was  a fun find of a Dolphins legend.

1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions V2 was one of the coolest inserts despite falling only 1:11 packs. It is probably why I am chasing this set and have been. These two are new, but I still have a way to go. I also keep them unpeeled.

Speaking of set chases, Game Breakers is another. There were multiple duplicates of these two and a couple others I already had. 

I have no details on this card other than it has two parallels.

And that does it for today's part. There is one more football part left with some more great cards including some autographs. This post was kind of the teaser trailer.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

This shoebox has been a lot of fun to dig through and makes me wonder if my father even took a glance at what was in there before he traded it to me. He said he did, but sometimes people say that. I took the gamble either way hoping he had missed something, instead it feels he missed a lot.

Just wait til the finale.

Before I close, I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in. So far ONLY 2 cards have been nominated!!

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

Have a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Unfinished Cup:1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond Refractors

Coffee, cards and a fun card today! Sounds like a perfect time for Cards Over Coffee!

I have come to the conclusion that I must have some form of ADD in the hobby because I can't focus on one project and I am always onto the next.

It would be nice just to finish one.

But, here I am again with another new set chase and another tough one at that. Hopefully I can finish this one.

*takes a sip*

My latest chase came to me when I was sorting out my Ken Griffey Jr's and came across a card that stuck out to me. I had forgotten all about one of my best pack pulled Griffey card of the 90's which was the 1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond refractor. It's the only Griffey refractor I even own actually.

But, after seeing it again and all of it's beauty, I thought to myself, how hard would it be to chase this set? I already own the Griffey which is the best one. 

And that's how a set chase was born.

1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond refractors have a 15-card set and fell 1:24 packs. 

They are shiny, die-cut and have a fairly nice checklist of players.

So far, I own three of the fifteen.

Here is what I need,

2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15

If any of you have any I need, let me know! You can comment below or drop me an email at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

National Trading Card Day

If you are going to have coffee with your cards, today is the day to do so as we celebrate one of the greatest hobbies out there.

Notice how I call it a hobby, not a money grab.

I know my coffee is ready and I have a card project to tackle today to celebrate, so this will be a very short post.

*takes a sip, hope you do too*

Today is National Trading Card Day, which is celebrated every year on February 24th. Today is a day dedicated to commemorating and enjoying the world of trading cards and as a big-time hobbyist who uses the hobby as an escape from the real world, I plan on taking advantage of every second I have today.

I recently acquired an insert for celebrating today which was included in 2022 Topps Allen&Ginter.

The card features who I believe is former Topps marketing employee Emily Kless, who was really nice and I had fun conversations with, along with lots of cards in the background. However it says it's for International Trading Card Day which from doing some research is actually in August I believe, and National Trading Card Day is today. Correct me if I am wrong.

Back of the card discusses the celebration for today and lets us know the insert name which is It's Your Special Day which celebrated many celebratory days.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I hope all of you have a great National Trading Card Day....with coffee of course. Let me know in comments how you plan to spend today celebrating.

My project involves a lot of sorting and hopefully I have enough card supplies on hand. If not, I may need to jump onto BCW and order some. Speaking of that, if you need some supplies today, SAVE 10% off by using code Matt10 at checkout. You can start ordering by clicking this link HERE. Just don't forget the code Matt10 at checkout!!

*takes a sip*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

NCIS

Sits down with coffee, laptop, cards and two warm heat bean bags.

I am sore today from the stent, but that's not going to stop me from putting up a new post. Especially since I am sitting here anyways.

*takes a sip*

With having to rest a lot, my wife and I have been taking advantage of the more "free" time by catching up on some of our favorite TV shows. One of those shows we have watched for the past 20-years.

That show is CBS hit drama, NCIS.

*takes another sip, re-adjusts the bean bags for more heat, gets ready to type more*

We basically had an entire season waiting on DVR to catch up on, because we have been busy, and we were able to binge it all before the new season kicked off after the Super Bowl.

Over the 20-years we have watched the show, we have seen some major cast changes along with some seriously good writing that left us with our jaws dropped at points. 

One thing I have always wanted was to do was add some cards from the show to my collection since it falls under the category for nostalgia. And as we all know, nostalgia is the driving point for my collecting.

The problem was that there isn't a lot of options out there for the cards. The only cards the show offers is from Rittenhouse back in 2012 which is surprising due to it's popularity.

I wanted to find the base set first, but couldn't locate one, so I had to find another avenue to add some cards from the product. 

I noticed that there were also promo cards from the set and found one dirt cheap on eBay that I added to kick off my NCIS collection,

 

The card showcases the original team from the first few seasons. It also features Ducky, David McCallum, who recently passed away. The show did an amazing tribute to him in this week's episode.

Back of the card features product information. I would have loved to had opened a box of it.

The promo card gave me the information that there are autographs and relic cards to be found as well. So, I began some research and found there are 18 autographs and 22 relics in all to chase. Most of the autograph checklist was watered down from the big stars as many of them didn't sign.

However, one of the main cast I was able to land an autographed card of making it my second NCIS card I own. My best one.

 

Rocky Carroll is Director Leon Vance of the NCIS. 

There are a few other autographs I do want from the product, well I mean I would take any and all, but there are four others that I really want. Those are Bob Newhart as Doctor Walter Magnus, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, Lauren Holly as Jenny Shepard, and Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto.

I would also like to find a base set at some point too and it appears they do character cards as well. Not sure why a base set is so hard to find and why only a couple of the character cards pop up when looking. Rarity at its best?

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I will need to warm up these bean bags soon so while I am at it, might as well pour myself another cup and maybe prep together a couple more posts to cover the weekend. Hope you guys won't mind that!

And while I have your attention, my latest Beckett article was published I would love for you guys to check out and leave a comment on Beckett for. It sounds like to me my writing days for Beckett will soon be done as the articles didn't quite fair well. I guess disappointing news for 2024 is where I am at. This year has stunk.

Beckett does though have four more to publish in the meantime, so enjoy the latest one which tackles 1995 Ultra Gold Medallion football. Read it HERE.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and weekend!

I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in. So far ONLY 2 cards have been nominated!! 

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Shoebox Delivers Part 3

Coffee has been sitting around for a little while so it's a bit cold, but microwaving it doesn't quite save it either. I will drink it as is for today's post.

Cards are ready next to me, and I am ready for a new Cards Over Coffee.

*takes a cold sip*

With being down still with my very uncomfortable stent, I took some time yesterday to take the remaining photos from my shoebox trade so I can have some post fodder.

Before I continue though with a new part, if you missed the first two parts, get caught up with Part 1 of the magical Shoebox trade and Part 2, which you can see HERE.

Today I will be showing off the key basketball cards I found in the trade. This isn't all of the basketball cards as there was a lot of base, but the cool ones of the group even with a surprise find.

Super Team Redemption Card of the Charlotte Hornets. Who didn't like the Hornets or own a Hornets Starter Jacket in the 90's?

Penny Hardaway Collectors Choice Stick 'Ums

Shaq's first pic as a Laker. I actually picture him with the Lakers more than any other team he played on.

Topps 40th insert of Penny Hardaway.

 

Upper Deck Teammates of Penny Hardaway. I get the feeling the person my father got this box from may have been a fan.

New PC item for my Allan Houston PC. It also features a Marcus Camby and Kerry Kittles rookie.

Penny Hardaway again, but more importantly, MJ which is a side PC for me.

Marcus Camby Collectors Choice Rookie Card

Allen Iverson Rookie Card

Then a mini trio featuring Allen Iverson rookie.

Then came the biggest surprise of them all....

Collectors Choice Kobe Bryant rookie!!!!

Rookie subset of Kobe

Then a mini trio featuring Kobe rookie.

I am still in shock that a Kobe rookie was just sitting in this shoebox. It may not hold a ton of value, but still. IT'S A KOBE BRYANT ROOKIE CARD.

*takes a final sip, will need to toss the rest, before finishing up today's post*

Basketball and baseball part of this trade are done. The next two parts will be football and of course, I will save the best cards for last. Not that Part 4 won't have its good stuff as well.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday and hope you have a hot cup of coffee, unless you specifically ordered iced coffee.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Presidents' Day

 

When it comes to timing posts with their specific holiday's, I am not usually one that can. Mostly because of laziness, not because I don't have the cards to use to post.

Sometimes it's just not fun to do lots of digging for a post.

I was fortunate this time though that the timing of Presidents' Day and my latest mail day from blog reader Oren, combined for today's offering.

Because today is Presidents' Day and I have some presidential cards to showcase....and some coffee. Well, not showcasing that, I am drinking that.

*takes a sip*

Presidents' Day is about celebrating...well the presidents.

Let's take a look at a time when Topps included presidential cards in their products for inserts. I kind of wished they did it now instead of the throwback inserts from older Topps products. 

Don't tell me you wouldn't want them to either.

All of the cards you are about to see came from my mail day from Oren.

First up, some cards from 2008 Topps Historical Campaign Match-Ups.

This 55-card set showcased the presidents who ran against each other.

2007 Topps Distinguished Service George Bush

2006 Topps Signers Of The Declaration Of Independence.

 

Each of the backs for these cards included an excerpt from the declaration and all turn to a puzzle when the set is complete.

I may have to see if I have any others to that set chase.

Thanks again to Oren for the new presidential cards and helping out my laziness on a holiday like this.

*takes a sip before finishing up this post*

In comments today, let me know if you collect presidential cards or if you want, which president you like the best without getting into the politics of it all. haha.

Happy Presidents Day! Enjoy a cup of coffee.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*