Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruth Mckeaney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ruth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our mission is rooted in the idea that we are all “hungry for home” – longing for connection, comfort, and community in a fast-paced world. Homemaking today has become a lost art, but I believe it’s an essential way to make space for who and what matters most. At Hillside Farm, my goal is to create a place where family and friends feel welcomed, cared for, and loved – whether that’s through simple meals, heartfelt conversations, or shared traditions.

Hillside Farm is a 307-year-old piece of history, a place that’s seen generations come and go, yet holds a timeless beauty that’s hard to put into words. Every corner of Hillside reflects our desire to foster beauty, connection, and intentional living. For us, creating a home means more than four walls – it means building relationships, savoring life’s simple joys, and embracing each season as it comes. My husband Bob and I have found that even in the chaos of life, there is meaning in slowing down, being present, and investing in the people around us.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Virginia, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, but life shifted when my husband Bob and I discovered our passion for restoring homes. Over the years, we’ve flipped several properties, but Hillside Farm became our most meaningful project yet. Raising our five children here, I embraced intentional homemaking – creating spaces that foster connection, traditions, and hospitality.

That journey led to writing Hungry for Home, where I documented our life on the farm, shared family stories, recipes, and tips for meaningful hosting, all with the hope that readers will feel at home in its pages and be encouraged to make their house a home for others as well. I want people to know that my work isn’t about perfection but about creating spaces where people feel welcomed and can build deeper connections. Through thoughtful traditions, hospitality, and conversation, my hope is to inspire others to find beauty in everyday life and create meaningful homes of their own.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

We’d been living in our home for several years, and my oldest had just gone off to college. For any parent who has watched a child leave, you’ll understand how your identity can unknowingly become wrapped up in being a mom. For so long, being a mom had been central to who I was. But in a pivotal moment with my Uncle Hubert, I faced the reality that there’s a life waiting beyond that role. Talking with Uncle Hubert, he asked me, “What are you utterly dependent on the Lord for right now?” And I said, “Besides raising the kids? Nothing.” That question struck me deeply because, despite all Bob and I accomplished, I realized I was in need of a deeper purpose that reached beyond myself. It was a humbling moment, one that marked the beginning of a journey of faith and trust.

This journey wasn’t easy – it involved letting go of my own plans and stepping into unknown areas, far outside my comfort zone. Writing Hungry for Home was one of those steps, a leap I hadn’t expected to take. I’d never thought of putting my experiences on paper, let alone sharing them with the world. I questioned what I could offer, what value my stories held for others. But something inside kept nudging me forward, encouraging me to capture the little moments and lessons learned at Hillside Farm, the everyday beauty of family, faith, and home.

Writing Hungry for Home became a practice in resilience itself, requiring me to trust that each page, each memory, each tradition held purpose, even when I couldn’t see the whole picture. Through this process, I learned that sharing our story could help others find comfort, connection, and inspiration in their own lives. Looking back, I realize the book wasn’t just about our home; it was a journey of discovering what home truly means.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When we moved to Pennsylvania, my life shifted in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Leaving behind a demanding career as an Assistant Attorney General was challenging, especially as I found myself far from the structured, familiar environment I once thrived in. Suddenly, my identity was no longer tied to a title or office, but to this new chapter in an unfamiliar place. I felt a bit adrift, searching for purpose and a sense of who I was outside of my career.

Over time, restoring homes with my husband, Bob, gave me a new way to channel my drive and creativity. Each house we worked on became more than just a project; it was a chance to build something meaningful from the ground up.

When we first discovered Hillside Farm, it was a shadow of its former self – a beautiful, historic property that had fallen into deep disrepair. The barn was nearly in ruins from a fire, the pipes were corroded, and every corner of the house seemed to hold another daunting surprise. But from the moment we set foot on the property, Bob and I felt an undeniable connection to it, as if Hillside was calling us to bring it back to life.

Taking on such a massive restoration wasn’t an easy decision, especially as I was in the midst of redefining myself. But here I was, faced with yet another challenge – a project that required resilience, patience, and a willingness to let go of what was comfortable. The decision to restore Hillside wasn’t just about the property; it was about creating a place for our family to grow, to make memories, and to build a legacy.

Purpose isn’t always found in a career or a title; sometimes, it’s found in the people we invite to join our table, the memories we create, and the challenges we embrace navigating life together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hungry4home.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungryforhome/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hungry-for-Home/100064068730178/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-mckeaney-5b8b3a241
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ZinELWGh0YVIfySpg3Gdg
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/hungryforhome/
  https://www.tiktok.com/@hungryforhome

Image Credits

Credit to Megan Tidmore